Video index
1. Call Meeting to Order
8:01 p.m.
2. Prayer: Nilofer Haider, Muslim Faith
3. Pledge of Allegiance
4. Roll Call
Roll call (10 Present, 0 Absent, 0 Excused)
5. Public Input [Per Town Council Rules, this segment of the meeting shall not exceed thirty (30) minutes unless extended by the Mayor, with the consent of a majority of the Town Council.]
Don Gonsalves, 40 Bayberry Trail - just attended the WPCA meeting. There was a subcommittee set up and we have had only one meeting in the last 16 months. The sewer people downstairs are not happy. The sewer fees are too high by 100.00 and should be cut. The average tax went up 9% - the 4.8% the majority of that - they have been setting money up in their reserves. I am extremely upset. The TC has indicated that the TA has said you have no control over that commission. The WPCA just said that the Town Council has control. There should be meeting between the WPCA and TC before the rates go up. I don't think the counicl is doing their job.
Craig - my wife and I moved to SW in 1979. when I got my tax bill just about had a heart attack. I could not believe the taxes could go up that much. We were some of the unlucky people that assessment went up. increase 25.75% increase. 1,200 increase. I don't know how anyone could pass on a tax increase like this. I hear things about ballfields and sidewalks - what about us. It has gotten out of hand. Something has to be done. We can't continue to do this. Council should do serious thinking about people who have been here for a long time and supported the Town.
Betty Warren - 494 Abbe Road - here to address concern - article regarding additional athletic fields. Nevers Road - 24 acres - this property is leased to farming for 5 years starting this year. Curious why land is labled as vacant. this property is not vacant. reviewed the survey - 86% felt important to keep land vacant or open space. under Park & Recration - favor of purchasing ladn for passive - 20% - greatest support for preserving farmland - concern is the Council mistaken calling this vacant lad and are you aware we have a commitment for 5 years.
Jack Philips, 200 McGrath Road - reiterate some of the things I have said earlier. I support what Ms. Warren has said. we are trying to preserve land in town. The money that is coming in from those leases helps maintain passive recreation. give surplus back to the taxpayers. Controlling spending and not building fields is a way to reduce taxes. putting things up for referendum if there is an idea to spend large amount of taxpayers money to let them decide how funjds are spent. Let the town decide if this is what they want their taxes to cover.
Mary Etter - Director of SW Public Library - we do have programs starting next week - Garden Club - Wednesday evening. Pick of the Crop 9/18, book reviews (Reed, Porter, McDonald, Fiveash, Dolan) 9/19 Affordable Health Care Act. Randi Oscar will explain the process of enrollment, (she was hard to get because she has 50 presentations during the month of Sept. .
6. Environmental Health & Safety Message
7. Adoption of Minutes of Previous Meetings
Havens, Snyder, unanimous
Motion to suspend the rules to go to Item 18 Bazzano, Anwar, unanimous
18. Communications and Reports from Town Manager [Per Town Council Rules, this segment of the meeting shall not exceed ten (10) minutes unless extended by the Mayor, with the consent of a majority of the Council.]
Andy Hildebrandt, Chair of the 75th Anniversary Celebration. Reviewed events as shown in attached Exhibit A. Friday, Sept. 20th - set up day. Sat. Sept. 21st 7 am set up - 10:30 begins - Havens - doing us proud. McCann - we all agree that our Volunteer Fire Department is the best. We appreciate what you do and hope you have a tremendous celebration. Delnicki - all looking forward to that event. Andy - we are trying to get as much information to the residents as possible. all of the information regarding this event can www.swfd2013.com. Channel 16 also has information. --we will have information through media also. Snyder - Andy - 2-3 marching bands.
19. Executive Session
8. Public Petitions
9. Communications from Officers and Boards Directly Responsible to Council
SW Patriotic Commission - Kent Carlson - we would like ot give you proposal to separate memorials at VMP from the park. We have discussed this over the last 12 months. Peter Anthony - 50 Bailey Circle - have lived in SW for 50 years. would like to see memorial happen. would like memorial wall in South Windsor. The wall is for the men in SW who fought and died to show they will never be forgotten. I am a Korean Was veteran - I was lucky to have made it out and not get hurt. when walking in the mall a young man saluted me and shook my hand and thanked me for my service. we should be happy we live in a country that is free. if we work hard we can get the meorial built. we can raise enough money through donations. the wall is for everyone in SW. Several people have said they are willing to donate their time and - we have strong support and commitment to this project. Lets make SW proud. ARt Sladdick, 89 Pierce Raod - here tonight seeking your approval. reviewed what has happened and the plan for the future. (ATtachment) Patriotic Commission is looking for approval to move forward with this project. Delnicki - do we need resolution Galligan - no think just need concension. 97% of contractors are from SW. Delnicki - support Prague - what is the estimate to build it? $45,000 for the granite - hoping under 65,000. Prague - have you considered going through the SW Community Foundation OUr intent tonight is to present to the council - once we get approval we will meet to address. Prague - think it is a wonderful idea. Having two young men in the service I appreciate your service. I applaude you coming forward with this. we did this picture last year and what we did not discuss is we will probably change to gray wall - recess lighting. it will serve the town and separate from teh pool. Yagaloff - thanks for the presentation - nice time line. appreciated Peter's comments. this is probably one of th emost important projects going on in this town. There is no better purpose then recognizing these men and women. keep project within the town. Having Design Professionals and other businesses is a stamp of how important this project is. Anwar - thank you for planning and organizing - have my full support. Beaulieu - appreciate presentation tonight. do like separation. Very happy to see it. Havens - beautiful piece of work. makes us proud to see tht type of a monument. Delnicki - do we have unanimous consent - you have your approval
10. Reports from Standing Committees
11. Reports of Temporary Committees
12. Consent Agenda [All items listed with an asterisk (*) are considered to be routine by the Town Council and will be enacted by one Motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a Council member so requests, in which event the item will be removed from the General Order of Business and be considered in its normal sequence on the Agenda.]
suspend rules go to 14G & GH - Bazzano - passed 5-4 (Delnicki, Yagaloff, Anwar, Havens
13. Unfinished Business
* A. Resolution Appointing William Butter (R) a Full Member to the Planning & Zoning Commission
14. New Business
* A. Resolution Reappointing Elizabeth McGuire (D) to the Cable Advisory Committee and Postponing Consideration of this Motion until the Town Council's Next Regularly Scheduled Meeting
* B. Resolution Reappointing Anthony Duarte (D) to the South Windsor Alliance for Families and Postponing Consideration of this Motion until the Town Council's Next Regularly Scheduled Meeting
* C. Resolution Appointing Debbie Duarte (D) an Alternate to the Board of Assessment Appeals and Postponing Consideration of this Motion until the Town Council's Next Regularly Scheduled Meeting
D. Resolution Concerning Reverter Provision in Deed to Connecticut Studios, LLC
Yagaloff, Anwar Yagaloff - this is essentially the removal of the quit claim deed. The Council has extended the reverter many times. This decision tonight will be a decision whether this project goes forward or not. The Developers Agreement is the most important part to control the project. this approval will allow CT Studios to move forward. REcommend that we - CT STudios will escrow at the times Galligan - think okay to put in. Yagaloff - think should be explicit. will the town be paying for sparrow - have we waived competitive bidding - should we be discussing that. the imporatnt to make sure mortgage dck is paid off. the mortgage is not the Towns problem unless reversion came back to the town. this agreement requires money for the permits are escrowed, some discussion whether sparrow mitigation should go out to bid. Delnicki - enumerate - Galligan - beginning 250,000 buildng fees are non-refundable. the sparrown mitigation was somehting the town was supposed to do years ago. the DEEP wanted - CT STudios is picking up that cost which was suppposed to be done by the Town. These are things the TCare concerned about. this is arisk to CT STudios. Developers AGreement is key for this project. Johnson - there have been some changes to details. I learned today that the estimated cost construction gt he habitat - suggest the ageement verbally - agreement between - town to hold in escrow Jay's Landsacping secondly the permits will be paid to town at or before the7M closing. - town will hold suggest amending reflecting 180,000 - insert 5th wereas - 150,00 - insert at least and then on the resolution itself 6 conditions (5) rewrite - receipt to the Town in the amount sufficient Yagaloff - you said may not be that contractor - to the contractor as it performs. Craig Stevenson - spent a great deal of time with Jay's Landscaping. I don't think every general Landscaper could handl.e We are very comfortable that Jay's Landscaping can handle this. we are going to ry ot stick with Jay's. it would be difficult to find another contractor to do it now. we hve asked them to update theikr priicng - would like ot stay with Jay's Joun or an alternateive contractor. Yagaloff - it is clear that the it is not the Town contracting. Craig - private company Yagaloff - as long as does not get into toruble for non-bid contract. Johnson - more prudent to Yagalof f- accept - or alternate contractor; Anwar agreed Beaulieu - what would fill in the blank? Johnson - the investors wish to keep conficdential to the closing. Beaulieu - where do we stand Dan Marsh- since wrote update to Council and Matt we have received substantial information on the proposed cost of th epulic infrastructure including soft cost - we are in the process of sorting througy and varify issues. we have made substantial progress on that. in that package from the contractor to build publoic improvements. DAve Pancio make sure improvements not public in nature. I wish I could report to you on the other five issues - we have makde some progress. we do have some preliminary letters on the film credits. we have spoken to accountant that is analyzing those that permitetrrers wseem reasonable. updates with First Niagara - reneewable tax credits. in meeting with two large investment banks who are interested in credits. we ar ein discussion with develoeprs - we expect that we will see - we have hotel - power purchase agreement - bridge construction - we are still going thorugh process with TM and Assessor on how assessments will work. Anwar - 40 acres fronm Andre? Galligan - inaccurate. Anwar - total fee for permits? Galligan - 250,000 at first and then there will be more. Anwar - about the tiger beetle. Galligna - is not on this property. Anwar - if we say yes - what leverage do we have left? Galligna - Developers Agreement. Galligan - I think - protect the town and have leverage too. Anwar - support McCann - reverter was supposed to make sure project goes forward. If the project does not go forward then the land comes back to the Town. we are now being asked to remove the reverter entirely. the reverter is the only thing that we have to apply any leverage. if we remove it then we need other ensurances. I would like to know how calculated. need power purchase agreemnt. need infrastructgure agreement. if we don't have approved agreement for the sale and purchase of the power then we don't know if instrastructure will be paid for. $13M will we go to referendum on that? there are a lot of unanswered question. we are being asked to remove the only leverage we have. it is our intent and our desire to see this be a sccessful project. Galligan - building permit fees are simple - $250,000 based on construction costs of the two buildings. contractor comes in and says the cost of the construction. the 5013C was discussed with DAve Panico - we are trying to ove project forward. the council keeps taking the reverter which tells me the Council wants to move forward with this project. This is at CT Studios risk. If the counicl does not want to move forward then this project should be denied. Yagaloff - look at the history - the 291 came through SW and went across the STate. thus project will help All of South Windsor - the investor see these are important porjects. this tonight is showing that the Council is going to move the project forward. the only way they are gong to get the revert is they have tomeet conditions. urging council to approve and take advice of TM. Galligna Delnicki - this puts a lot on the line? Galligna - yes Delnicki - tax revenue to SW - Galligna - power purchase agreemnt - the funds from that will pay for the taxes generated Dan Marsh - need definiative values frojm Assessor - when hotel built 1.6M real property taxes. Dan - gross - 83,000 more without personal property. Delnicki - 1M to 1.5M Dan - debt 800,000 per year Bazzano - acres Galigna - 22 Bazzano - we are being asked to give up land - Galligna - $15.16 Bazzano - what about the taxpayer - what value is getting rid of reverter which I believe is 250,000 worth. If we kept or Galligna - you litigate Bazzano - if develoepr so confident and the lien holder confident why are we being put over barrel to get rid of reverter? Bazzano - I am more inclined to table this item. I would ike to see more stuff. Galligan - Tony - what is driving to putting closing together and craft what e are presenting tonight is because we had to hire attorney - we are ready to submit to siting council but in order to do that we need site control. Andre Charbonneau will not have site control unless he sells the property. dck mortgage has to be dealth with then. there is a line of items that need to be done. $7M worth of closing to take care of responsibilitiies. Private lender - finanicn gis in place - if all goes thorugh will have a project that is almost done. I am taking a gamble myself - if this project does not go through I will lose $5M myself. Bazzano, Yagaloff - until next two items are done, 8-1 (Havens) Beauliue - extned meeting to 11:20, McCann, unanimous Havens - will support resoluiton - there is no guarantee in life - ready to go. have confidence in TM and TA. I don't think either would put town in danger. McCann - move that we take 5 minute recess. at 11:00 p.m. back at 11:05 Yagaloff - we have investor who is interested in investing. we are getting rid of adverse party and there is a benefit - can't quantify benefit. Think good swap Delnicki - you have to own Charbonneau property to go to Siting Council and get - need reverter off property in order to get loan? Tony - yes Delnicki - if you don't own property the property is done? tony - yes the ball game is over vote 6-3 passed (Bazzano, Prague, Beaulieu)
E. Resolution Authorizing the Sale of Town Owned Parcel of Land
Snyder, Anwar unanimous
Bazzano, Prague, unanimous Resolution - Bazzano, Anwar Bazzao - where does the money come from? Galligna - public works unanimous
F. Resolution Approving a Refund of Taxes to Seventeen (64) South Windsor Taxpayers
Beaulieu, Bazzano, Anwar - 4-5 computer errors Galligna - working on that unanimous
G. Discussion Item - Budget Surplus (requested by Councillor McCann)
McCann - net 275,000 in expenditures. REcommend keeping in fund balance - we need it for the long term fiscal status of our community to keep our rating as good as it is. Do not think ther eis a need to take any action on the surplus - if we do nothing it sits in our general fund - hopefully will rflect possitively on the town. Yagaloff - not sure important to push CT Studios to bottom. Should focus on econimic development. Mill rate up 35, people have been slamed with taxes. there are people in town that have been hammered by taxes. it is our job to mitigate. there was project brought to TC - $3M pronect was brought to council during the budget. we need to focus on economic development. Galligan - what someone asked me to do is come up with a lease payment Bazzano - 1.8M surplus - replenished fund balance? Galligan - yes Bazzano - now have 1.1M - goes into general fund? Galligan - yes - fund balance - financial statement - recommend leaving as it. S & P and Moody's coming in January. If the state is downgrade that could effect us. recommend leaving everything. Bazzano - under - Galligan - not savings - we can buy additional salt. these are things that are budgeted for. Bazzano - did the departments suffer because of this? Galligan - we did not get to do additional project - would have been nice to be able to do more thorough projects. it was nice to keep man power. Havens - this was a pre-election discussion. should stick in fund balance. Snyder - explain debt service - 118,857 difference? Galligan - when we do interest schedule we do them out 20 years. when we get closer Anwar - is there a way to reassess the way we do the budget so we can see the surplus before the Town Council decides on either the Board of Education or Town budget? Galligna - we look at surplus historically. - S & p does not like Town's to use surplus. Council poicy to use 800,000. we could give you projections but they could be way off. We will try to work on a better system with MUNIS Anwar - rather be on the side of doing well. the other issue is there a way to look at the past few years and get a model? Galligan - that is what we do. Anwar - use of surplus - couple of years ago BOE used for pension - how is Town with peniosn Galligna - we net the ARC but would like to make different projection sin the future. need policy reducing by 1/4% each year. need to lower discount rate. Anwar - use sewer fees to identify ways to work with WPCA - use to offset fees - I am in favor of reducing the sewer fee's. Galligna - would have to see if you could even do anything like that. Delnicki - 1/4% change in the pension plan - before we do anything we need to know how that would effect the taxpayer. Galligan - there are a lot of communities doing that right now because town's are not going to mneet their pension obligation Delnicki - can we actually see what the last five years the surplus has looked like. Galligan - sure. McCann - I think tha tone thing that may come out of this whole disucssion is the way we do the budget. would be helpful to see three year history to show both budgeted amounts and actual expenditures. Galligan - agree - we wanted a two year budget in the past. Yagaloff - pont out another issue - this year's budget there was debate on applying funds to the mill rate. there were members that would not reduce the mill rate. if we had utilized the nujmber fgrom the fund balance we would have been in the position we were planning. the first meeting we had after this year - reqauested that we put into the spending freeze did not come about until January. this council needs to act sooner on spending freezes. Id id not want ot back fill positions until after the budget was set. TC needs to maintain on their policy. Beaulieu - we sat here and talked about the budget during budget season. if we were to follow the policies of hte past our fund balance would have been down. we did not know about the surplus. We have been told what the rating agencies expect of us. We need to get balance back up. we have got to be in the best fiscal shape that we can be an dputting this surplus back into the fund balance is the best place to put it. Delnicki - 9:30 p.m. - have to get to CT Studio resoluiton. next years credits go away Galligan -
H. Discussion Item - Board of Education Elementary School Plan Recommendation Status by the Superintendent of Schools (requested by Councillor Snyder)
Snyder - Aug. 20th attending special BOE meeting. The BOE has two year strategic plan. Phased in approach - one school referendum - her comprehensive plan may go our a number of years. believes we will be going from 5 schools to 4 schools. she lis looking at school building will be come available in the near future. build new school at the Orchard HIll site. that new school will be able to carry the preschool program. Wapping is a very flexible building. Orchard Hll school would become the swing spot where when other schools are being renovated they wiill attend Orchard Hill. Superintendent will announce plan in October. referendum March 2014. this is driven by enroollment. this frees up a builidng fo rthe town. I also want to let you know tha th Board Chair will come probably next month. the school thing is happening. it is a very well thought our approach. Yagalof f- thanked Councillor Sndyer - very valuable to hear this tonight. BOE and TC has high level of confidence in Superintendent. March 2014 referendum is aggresive. good to see emphasis will be on the neighborhood schools. good to see POP program continuing. very important project. Anwar - thank you for the presentation - I think because of the importance of this issue the Superintendent should have come before the TC. It would have been better served by the public to have a full presentation. Snyder - did qualify my beginning statement - superintendent is coming up with a comprehensive project. I wanted the TC to understand that the details are not available yet. Superintendent needs to present to the BOE. Delnicki - it certainly looks good to take one school approach. keeping affordable as possible. sticking with plan that is a good mid size plan. something people can see and embrace. Snyder - 9/23 at 6:45 p.m. tour of CREC School. P-K through 6 -
15. Passage of Ordinance
16. Public Input [Per Town Council Rules, this segment of the meeting shall not exceed thirty (30) minutes unless extended by the Mayor, with the consent of a majority of the Town Council.]
17. Communications and Petitions from Council [Per Town Council Rules, this segment of the meeting shall not exceed twenty (20) minutes unless extended by the Mayor, with the consent of a majority of the Council.]
12. Consent Agenda [All items listed with an asterisk (*) are considered to be routine by the Town Council and will be enacted by one Motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a Council member so requests, in which event the item will be removed from the General Order of Business and be considered in its normal sequence on the Agenda.]
13, 14A-14C Prague, Anwar McCann - second unanimous
14. New Business
20. Adjournment
Bazzano, McCann, unanimous, 11:17
Sep 03, 2013 Town Council Meeting
Full agenda
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1. Call Meeting to Order
8:01 p.m.
2. Prayer: Nilofer Haider, Muslim Faith
3. Pledge of Allegiance
4. Roll Call
Roll call (10 Present, 0 Absent, 0 Excused)
5. Public Input [Per Town Council Rules, this segment of the meeting shall not exceed thirty (30) minutes unless extended by the Mayor, with the consent of a majority of the Town Council.]
Don Gonsalves, 40 Bayberry Trail - just attended the WPCA meeting. There was a subcommittee set up and we have had only one meeting in the last 16 months. The sewer people downstairs are not happy. The sewer fees are too high by 100.00 and should be cut. The average tax went up 9% - the 4.8% the majority of that - they have been setting money up in their reserves. I am extremely upset. The TC has indicated that the TA has said you have no control over that commission. The WPCA just said that the Town Council has control. There should be meeting between the WPCA and TC before the rates go up. I don't think the counicl is doing their job.
Craig - my wife and I moved to SW in 1979. when I got my tax bill just about had a heart attack. I could not believe the taxes could go up that much. We were some of the unlucky people that assessment went up. increase 25.75% increase. 1,200 increase. I don't know how anyone could pass on a tax increase like this. I hear things about ballfields and sidewalks - what about us. It has gotten out of hand. Something has to be done. We can't continue to do this. Council should do serious thinking about people who have been here for a long time and supported the Town.
Betty Warren - 494 Abbe Road - here to address concern - article regarding additional athletic fields. Nevers Road - 24 acres - this property is leased to farming for 5 years starting this year. Curious why land is labled as vacant. this property is not vacant. reviewed the survey - 86% felt important to keep land vacant or open space. under Park & Recration - favor of purchasing ladn for passive - 20% - greatest support for preserving farmland - concern is the Council mistaken calling this vacant lad and are you aware we have a commitment for 5 years.
Jack Philips, 200 McGrath Road - reiterate some of the things I have said earlier. I support what Ms. Warren has said. we are trying to preserve land in town. The money that is coming in from those leases helps maintain passive recreation. give surplus back to the taxpayers. Controlling spending and not building fields is a way to reduce taxes. putting things up for referendum if there is an idea to spend large amount of taxpayers money to let them decide how funjds are spent. Let the town decide if this is what they want their taxes to cover.
Mary Etter - Director of SW Public Library - we do have programs starting next week - Garden Club - Wednesday evening. Pick of the Crop 9/18, book reviews (Reed, Porter, McDonald, Fiveash, Dolan) 9/19 Affordable Health Care Act. Randi Oscar will explain the process of enrollment, (she was hard to get because she has 50 presentations during the month of Sept. .
6. Environmental Health & Safety Message
7. Adoption of Minutes of Previous Meetings
Havens, Snyder, unanimous
Motion to suspend the rules to go to Item 18 Bazzano, Anwar, unanimous
18. Communications and Reports from Town Manager [Per Town Council Rules, this segment of the meeting shall not exceed ten (10) minutes unless extended by the Mayor, with the consent of a majority of the Council.]
Andy Hildebrandt, Chair of the 75th Anniversary Celebration. Reviewed events as shown in attached Exhibit A. Friday, Sept. 20th - set up day. Sat. Sept. 21st 7 am set up - 10:30 begins - Havens - doing us proud. McCann - we all agree that our Volunteer Fire Department is the best. We appreciate what you do and hope you have a tremendous celebration. Delnicki - all looking forward to that event. Andy - we are trying to get as much information to the residents as possible. all of the information regarding this event can www.swfd2013.com. Channel 16 also has information. --we will have information through media also. Snyder - Andy - 2-3 marching bands.
19. Executive Session
8. Public Petitions
9. Communications from Officers and Boards Directly Responsible to Council
SW Patriotic Commission - Kent Carlson - we would like ot give you proposal to separate memorials at VMP from the park. We have discussed this over the last 12 months. Peter Anthony - 50 Bailey Circle - have lived in SW for 50 years. would like to see memorial happen. would like memorial wall in South Windsor. The wall is for the men in SW who fought and died to show they will never be forgotten. I am a Korean Was veteran - I was lucky to have made it out and not get hurt. when walking in the mall a young man saluted me and shook my hand and thanked me for my service. we should be happy we live in a country that is free. if we work hard we can get the meorial built. we can raise enough money through donations. the wall is for everyone in SW. Several people have said they are willing to donate their time and - we have strong support and commitment to this project. Lets make SW proud. ARt Sladdick, 89 Pierce Raod - here tonight seeking your approval. reviewed what has happened and the plan for the future. (ATtachment) Patriotic Commission is looking for approval to move forward with this project. Delnicki - do we need resolution Galligan - no think just need concension. 97% of contractors are from SW. Delnicki - support Prague - what is the estimate to build it? $45,000 for the granite - hoping under 65,000. Prague - have you considered going through the SW Community Foundation OUr intent tonight is to present to the council - once we get approval we will meet to address. Prague - think it is a wonderful idea. Having two young men in the service I appreciate your service. I applaude you coming forward with this. we did this picture last year and what we did not discuss is we will probably change to gray wall - recess lighting. it will serve the town and separate from teh pool. Yagaloff - thanks for the presentation - nice time line. appreciated Peter's comments. this is probably one of th emost important projects going on in this town. There is no better purpose then recognizing these men and women. keep project within the town. Having Design Professionals and other businesses is a stamp of how important this project is. Anwar - thank you for planning and organizing - have my full support. Beaulieu - appreciate presentation tonight. do like separation. Very happy to see it. Havens - beautiful piece of work. makes us proud to see tht type of a monument. Delnicki - do we have unanimous consent - you have your approval
10. Reports from Standing Committees
11. Reports of Temporary Committees
12. Consent Agenda [All items listed with an asterisk (*) are considered to be routine by the Town Council and will be enacted by one Motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a Council member so requests, in which event the item will be removed from the General Order of Business and be considered in its normal sequence on the Agenda.]
suspend rules go to 14G & GH - Bazzano - passed 5-4 (Delnicki, Yagaloff, Anwar, Havens
13. Unfinished Business
* A. Resolution Appointing William Butter (R) a Full Member to the Planning & Zoning Commission
14. New Business
* A. Resolution Reappointing Elizabeth McGuire (D) to the Cable Advisory Committee and Postponing Consideration of this Motion until the Town Council's Next Regularly Scheduled Meeting
* B. Resolution Reappointing Anthony Duarte (D) to the South Windsor Alliance for Families and Postponing Consideration of this Motion until the Town Council's Next Regularly Scheduled Meeting
* C. Resolution Appointing Debbie Duarte (D) an Alternate to the Board of Assessment Appeals and Postponing Consideration of this Motion until the Town Council's Next Regularly Scheduled Meeting
D. Resolution Concerning Reverter Provision in Deed to Connecticut Studios, LLC
Yagaloff, Anwar Yagaloff - this is essentially the removal of the quit claim deed. The Council has extended the reverter many times. This decision tonight will be a decision whether this project goes forward or not. The Developers Agreement is the most important part to control the project. this approval will allow CT Studios to move forward. REcommend that we - CT STudios will escrow at the times Galligan - think okay to put in. Yagaloff - think should be explicit. will the town be paying for sparrow - have we waived competitive bidding - should we be discussing that. the imporatnt to make sure mortgage dck is paid off. the mortgage is not the Towns problem unless reversion came back to the town. this agreement requires money for the permits are escrowed, some discussion whether sparrow mitigation should go out to bid. Delnicki - enumerate - Galligan - beginning 250,000 buildng fees are non-refundable. the sparrown mitigation was somehting the town was supposed to do years ago. the DEEP wanted - CT STudios is picking up that cost which was suppposed to be done by the Town. These are things the TCare concerned about. this is arisk to CT STudios. Developers AGreement is key for this project. Johnson - there have been some changes to details. I learned today that the estimated cost construction gt he habitat - suggest the ageement verbally - agreement between - town to hold in escrow Jay's Landsacping secondly the permits will be paid to town at or before the7M closing. - town will hold suggest amending reflecting 180,000 - insert 5th wereas - 150,00 - insert at least and then on the resolution itself 6 conditions (5) rewrite - receipt to the Town in the amount sufficient Yagaloff - you said may not be that contractor - to the contractor as it performs. Craig Stevenson - spent a great deal of time with Jay's Landscaping. I don't think every general Landscaper could handl.e We are very comfortable that Jay's Landscaping can handle this. we are going to ry ot stick with Jay's. it would be difficult to find another contractor to do it now. we hve asked them to update theikr priicng - would like ot stay with Jay's Joun or an alternateive contractor. Yagaloff - it is clear that the it is not the Town contracting. Craig - private company Yagaloff - as long as does not get into toruble for non-bid contract. Johnson - more prudent to Yagalof f- accept - or alternate contractor; Anwar agreed Beaulieu - what would fill in the blank? Johnson - the investors wish to keep conficdential to the closing. Beaulieu - where do we stand Dan Marsh- since wrote update to Council and Matt we have received substantial information on the proposed cost of th epulic infrastructure including soft cost - we are in the process of sorting througy and varify issues. we have made substantial progress on that. in that package from the contractor to build publoic improvements. DAve Pancio make sure improvements not public in nature. I wish I could report to you on the other five issues - we have makde some progress. we do have some preliminary letters on the film credits. we have spoken to accountant that is analyzing those that permitetrrers wseem reasonable. updates with First Niagara - reneewable tax credits. in meeting with two large investment banks who are interested in credits. we ar ein discussion with develoeprs - we expect that we will see - we have hotel - power purchase agreement - bridge construction - we are still going thorugh process with TM and Assessor on how assessments will work. Anwar - 40 acres fronm Andre? Galligan - inaccurate. Anwar - total fee for permits? Galligan - 250,000 at first and then there will be more. Anwar - about the tiger beetle. Galligna - is not on this property. Anwar - if we say yes - what leverage do we have left? Galligna - Developers Agreement. Galligan - I think - protect the town and have leverage too. Anwar - support McCann - reverter was supposed to make sure project goes forward. If the project does not go forward then the land comes back to the Town. we are now being asked to remove the reverter entirely. the reverter is the only thing that we have to apply any leverage. if we remove it then we need other ensurances. I would like to know how calculated. need power purchase agreemnt. need infrastructgure agreement. if we don't have approved agreement for the sale and purchase of the power then we don't know if instrastructure will be paid for. $13M will we go to referendum on that? there are a lot of unanswered question. we are being asked to remove the only leverage we have. it is our intent and our desire to see this be a sccessful project. Galligan - building permit fees are simple - $250,000 based on construction costs of the two buildings. contractor comes in and says the cost of the construction. the 5013C was discussed with DAve Panico - we are trying to ove project forward. the council keeps taking the reverter which tells me the Council wants to move forward with this project. This is at CT Studios risk. If the counicl does not want to move forward then this project should be denied. Yagaloff - look at the history - the 291 came through SW and went across the STate. thus project will help All of South Windsor - the investor see these are important porjects. this tonight is showing that the Council is going to move the project forward. the only way they are gong to get the revert is they have tomeet conditions. urging council to approve and take advice of TM. Galligna Delnicki - this puts a lot on the line? Galligna - yes Delnicki - tax revenue to SW - Galligna - power purchase agreemnt - the funds from that will pay for the taxes generated Dan Marsh - need definiative values frojm Assessor - when hotel built 1.6M real property taxes. Dan - gross - 83,000 more without personal property. Delnicki - 1M to 1.5M Dan - debt 800,000 per year Bazzano - acres Galigna - 22 Bazzano - we are being asked to give up land - Galligna - $15.16 Bazzano - what about the taxpayer - what value is getting rid of reverter which I believe is 250,000 worth. If we kept or Galligna - you litigate Bazzano - if develoepr so confident and the lien holder confident why are we being put over barrel to get rid of reverter? Bazzano - I am more inclined to table this item. I would ike to see more stuff. Galligan - Tony - what is driving to putting closing together and craft what e are presenting tonight is because we had to hire attorney - we are ready to submit to siting council but in order to do that we need site control. Andre Charbonneau will not have site control unless he sells the property. dck mortgage has to be dealth with then. there is a line of items that need to be done. $7M worth of closing to take care of responsibilitiies. Private lender - finanicn gis in place - if all goes thorugh will have a project that is almost done. I am taking a gamble myself - if this project does not go through I will lose $5M myself. Bazzano, Yagaloff - until next two items are done, 8-1 (Havens) Beauliue - extned meeting to 11:20, McCann, unanimous Havens - will support resoluiton - there is no guarantee in life - ready to go. have confidence in TM and TA. I don't think either would put town in danger. McCann - move that we take 5 minute recess. at 11:00 p.m. back at 11:05 Yagaloff - we have investor who is interested in investing. we are getting rid of adverse party and there is a benefit - can't quantify benefit. Think good swap Delnicki - you have to own Charbonneau property to go to Siting Council and get - need reverter off property in order to get loan? Tony - yes Delnicki - if you don't own property the property is done? tony - yes the ball game is over vote 6-3 passed (Bazzano, Prague, Beaulieu)
E. Resolution Authorizing the Sale of Town Owned Parcel of Land
Snyder, Anwar unanimous
Bazzano, Prague, unanimous Resolution - Bazzano, Anwar Bazzao - where does the money come from? Galligna - public works unanimous
F. Resolution Approving a Refund of Taxes to Seventeen (64) South Windsor Taxpayers
Beaulieu, Bazzano, Anwar - 4-5 computer errors Galligna - working on that unanimous
G. Discussion Item - Budget Surplus (requested by Councillor McCann)
McCann - net 275,000 in expenditures. REcommend keeping in fund balance - we need it for the long term fiscal status of our community to keep our rating as good as it is. Do not think ther eis a need to take any action on the surplus - if we do nothing it sits in our general fund - hopefully will rflect possitively on the town. Yagaloff - not sure important to push CT Studios to bottom. Should focus on econimic development. Mill rate up 35, people have been slamed with taxes. there are people in town that have been hammered by taxes. it is our job to mitigate. there was project brought to TC - $3M pronect was brought to council during the budget. we need to focus on economic development. Galligan - what someone asked me to do is come up with a lease payment Bazzano - 1.8M surplus - replenished fund balance? Galligan - yes Bazzano - now have 1.1M - goes into general fund? Galligan - yes - fund balance - financial statement - recommend leaving as it. S & P and Moody's coming in January. If the state is downgrade that could effect us. recommend leaving everything. Bazzano - under - Galligan - not savings - we can buy additional salt. these are things that are budgeted for. Bazzano - did the departments suffer because of this? Galligan - we did not get to do additional project - would have been nice to be able to do more thorough projects. it was nice to keep man power. Havens - this was a pre-election discussion. should stick in fund balance. Snyder - explain debt service - 118,857 difference? Galligan - when we do interest schedule we do them out 20 years. when we get closer Anwar - is there a way to reassess the way we do the budget so we can see the surplus before the Town Council decides on either the Board of Education or Town budget? Galligna - we look at surplus historically. - S & p does not like Town's to use surplus. Council poicy to use 800,000. we could give you projections but they could be way off. We will try to work on a better system with MUNIS Anwar - rather be on the side of doing well. the other issue is there a way to look at the past few years and get a model? Galligan - that is what we do. Anwar - use of surplus - couple of years ago BOE used for pension - how is Town with peniosn Galligna - we net the ARC but would like to make different projection sin the future. need policy reducing by 1/4% each year. need to lower discount rate. Anwar - use sewer fees to identify ways to work with WPCA - use to offset fees - I am in favor of reducing the sewer fee's. Galligna - would have to see if you could even do anything like that. Delnicki - 1/4% change in the pension plan - before we do anything we need to know how that would effect the taxpayer. Galligan - there are a lot of communities doing that right now because town's are not going to mneet their pension obligation Delnicki - can we actually see what the last five years the surplus has looked like. Galligan - sure. McCann - I think tha tone thing that may come out of this whole disucssion is the way we do the budget. would be helpful to see three year history to show both budgeted amounts and actual expenditures. Galligan - agree - we wanted a two year budget in the past. Yagaloff - pont out another issue - this year's budget there was debate on applying funds to the mill rate. there were members that would not reduce the mill rate. if we had utilized the nujmber fgrom the fund balance we would have been in the position we were planning. the first meeting we had after this year - reqauested that we put into the spending freeze did not come about until January. this council needs to act sooner on spending freezes. Id id not want ot back fill positions until after the budget was set. TC needs to maintain on their policy. Beaulieu - we sat here and talked about the budget during budget season. if we were to follow the policies of hte past our fund balance would have been down. we did not know about the surplus. We have been told what the rating agencies expect of us. We need to get balance back up. we have got to be in the best fiscal shape that we can be an dputting this surplus back into the fund balance is the best place to put it. Delnicki - 9:30 p.m. - have to get to CT Studio resoluiton. next years credits go away Galligan -
H. Discussion Item - Board of Education Elementary School Plan Recommendation Status by the Superintendent of Schools (requested by Councillor Snyder)
Snyder - Aug. 20th attending special BOE meeting. The BOE has two year strategic plan. Phased in approach - one school referendum - her comprehensive plan may go our a number of years. believes we will be going from 5 schools to 4 schools. she lis looking at school building will be come available in the near future. build new school at the Orchard HIll site. that new school will be able to carry the preschool program. Wapping is a very flexible building. Orchard Hll school would become the swing spot where when other schools are being renovated they wiill attend Orchard Hill. Superintendent will announce plan in October. referendum March 2014. this is driven by enroollment. this frees up a builidng fo rthe town. I also want to let you know tha th Board Chair will come probably next month. the school thing is happening. it is a very well thought our approach. Yagalof f- thanked Councillor Sndyer - very valuable to hear this tonight. BOE and TC has high level of confidence in Superintendent. March 2014 referendum is aggresive. good to see emphasis will be on the neighborhood schools. good to see POP program continuing. very important project. Anwar - thank you for the presentation - I think because of the importance of this issue the Superintendent should have come before the TC. It would have been better served by the public to have a full presentation. Snyder - did qualify my beginning statement - superintendent is coming up with a comprehensive project. I wanted the TC to understand that the details are not available yet. Superintendent needs to present to the BOE. Delnicki - it certainly looks good to take one school approach. keeping affordable as possible. sticking with plan that is a good mid size plan. something people can see and embrace. Snyder - 9/23 at 6:45 p.m. tour of CREC School. P-K through 6 -
15. Passage of Ordinance
16. Public Input [Per Town Council Rules, this segment of the meeting shall not exceed thirty (30) minutes unless extended by the Mayor, with the consent of a majority of the Town Council.]
17. Communications and Petitions from Council [Per Town Council Rules, this segment of the meeting shall not exceed twenty (20) minutes unless extended by the Mayor, with the consent of a majority of the Council.]
12. Consent Agenda [All items listed with an asterisk (*) are considered to be routine by the Town Council and will be enacted by one Motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a Council member so requests, in which event the item will be removed from the General Order of Business and be considered in its normal sequence on the Agenda.]
13, 14A-14C Prague, Anwar McCann - second unanimous
14. New Business
20. Adjournment
Bazzano, McCann, unanimous, 11:17
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