Common Council

Regular Meeting of the Common Council Wednesday, July 10, 2024 7:00 PM Council Chambers, City Hall, 2nd Floor, 27 West Main Street, New Britain, Connecticut NOTICE - The next regular meeting of the Common Council will be held on Wednesday evening, July 10, 2024, at 7:05 PM in Council Chambers, City Hall, 2nd Floor, 27 West Main Street, New Britain, Connecticut. In-person and remote public participation will begin prior to the regular meeting at 7:00 pm. Individuals seeking to join public participation remotely may join the queue beginning at 6:55 pm by calling 1 (339) 209-6176. Members of the public may attend meetings in person or view a live broadcast via the livestream link at https://www.newbritainct.gov/meetings or https://www.youtube.com/@CONBCT/streams 7:00 PM - PUBLIC PARTICIPATION CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL INVOCATION PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS AND SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS APPROVAL OF MINUTES MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETINGS OF MAY 22, 2024 AND JUNE 12, 2024. May 22, 2024 Minutes June 12, 2024 Minutes AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA PETITIONS 1. Alderwoman Candyce Scott for the appropriate department(s) to look into the possibility of  installing outdoor digital notice boards around the city to notify residents of important information and events. An example of Rocky Hill’s digital message board has been attached to this petition as a reference. The message boards could be placed in high traffic areas such as parks, outside public buildings, or other feasible locations. Petition Photograph Photograph 2. Alderwoman Candyce Scott for the appropriate department(s) to allow for a community garden near Allen Street by utilizing city owned vacant property in and around this area. Petition 3. Alderwoman Candyce Scott for the appropriate department(s) to install a handicapped parking sign in front of Blaze Barber Shop at 631 West Main Street. Petition 4. Ald. Smedley to amend sections of the Zoning Ordinances related to short-term rental regulations Petition 5. Ald. Smedley to amend sections of the Zoning Ordinances related to signage regulations. Petition 6. Ald. Smedley to amend sections of the Zoning Ordinances related to site plans regulations. Petition 7. Ald. Smedley to change the A-1 (multifamily, low density) district and T (single, two, and three-family dwellings) district located along the western side of Burritt Street; from 418 Burritt Street to 444 Burritt Street, to A-2 (multifamily, moderate density) district. To change the A-1 (multifamily, low density) district located along the western side of Burritt Street; from 490 Burritt Street to 516 Burritt Street, to A-2 (multifamily, moderate density) district. To change the A-1 (multifamily, low density) district located along Alden Street; east of Albany Avenue and west of Burritt Street, and the east side of Albany Avenue; from 107 Albany Avenue to 139 Albany Avenue, to T (single, two, and three-family dwellings) district. Petition Boundary Map - Burritt Street Rezone 8. Ald. Smedley to change the I-2 (general industry) district and T (single, two, and three-family dwellings) district located along the south side of Chestnut Street and west side of Stanley Street; from 670 Stanley Street to 295 Chestnut Street, to B-1R (neighborhood business revitalization). To change the I-2 (general industry) district and T (single, two, and three-family dwellings) district located along Stanley Street; from 668 Stanley Street to 584 Stanley Street on the west and from 663 Stanley Street to 647 Stanley Street on the east, to B-1R (neighborhood business revitalization). To change the T (single, two, and three-family dwellings) district parcel at 647 Stanley Street, to B-1R (neighborhood business revitalization). To change the I-2 (general industry) district and T (single, two, and three-family dwellings) district located along Park Street; east of Route 9 and west of Stanley Street, to B-1R (neighborhood business revitalization). To change the I-2 (general industry) district located along the east side of John Street; from 12 John Street to 48 John Street, to B-1R (neighborhood business revitalization). To change the I-2 (general industry) district  and T (single, two, and three-family dwellings) district located along Pleasant Street; east of John Street and west of Stanley Street, to B-1R (neighborhood business revitalization). To change the I-2 (general industry) district located along the east side of John Street; from 62 John Street to 86 John Street, to T (single, two, and three-family dwellings). To change the split zoned I-2 (general industry) district and T (single, two, and three-family dwellings) district located along the west side of Stanley Street; from 578 South Street to 568 South Street, to T (single, two, and three-family dwellings) district. Petition Boundary Map - John-Park-Stanley Rezone 9. Ald. Smedley to change the A-1 (multifamily, low density) district located on Louise Court, the east side of Rocky Hill Avenue; from 246 Rocky Hill Avenue to 258 Rocky Hill Avenue, the north side of Upton Street; from 26 Upton Street to 28 Upton Street to T (single, two, and three-family dwellings). To change the split zone A-1 (multifamily, low density) district and T (single, two, and three-family dwellings) district located on the south side of Devens Street; from 45 Devens Street to 51 Devens Street, to T (single, two, and three-family dwellings) district. Petition Boundary Map - Mead Street Rezone 10. Ald. Smedley to change the I-2 (general industry) district located along the south side of South Street; from 171 South Street to 315 South Street, and all of Commerce Circle, to I-3 (Industry, transportation and logistics) district. To change the split zoned I-2 (general industry) district and T (single, two, and three-family dwellings) district to T (single, two, and three-family dwellings) district at 43 – 54 Konstin Place. To change the I-2 (general industry) district located along the north side of South Street and the west side of Sherrill Street; from 10 Sherrill Street to 326 South Street, to B-1 (secondary business) district. To change the I-2 (general industry) district located along the north side of South Street; from 352 South Street to 370 South Street, to T (single, two, and three-family dwellings) district.To change the I-1 (industrial parks) district located at 145 Green Street and 580 South Street, to T (single, two, and three-family dwellings). Petition Boundary Map - South Street Rezone 11. Alderwoman Scott for the appropriate department(s) to no littering signs on Lawlor Street, Lasalle Street, Allen Street, Oak Street and North Street. Petition 12. Alderman Santiago for the appropriate department(s) to provide detailed information regarding any claims or complaints made to the city by city resident Charles Smith. Mr. Smith has been requesting that the city provide some sort of safety mechanism by the city around Chesley Park, such as safety netting, to prevent stray baseballs from coming into his property from the park. Petition 35435 was submitted May 12, 2021. In addition, Petition 36469 was submitted April 24, 2024 without a response being returned to Council. What is the city doing to protect property owners around Chesley Park? Will netting be installed around the park for safety? Will any other safety mechanisms be put into place? What is the intent of the city and when will it be realized? Petition 13. Alderman Santiago for the appropriate department(s) to provide a detailed report breaking down all  expenses and revenues of the 2024 Annual Great American Boom Event. Please also provide detailed information as to where in the budget the revenue for this event is deposited. Petition 14. Alderman Hargraves for the appropriate department(s) to conduct a traffic study in the area of Halsey Road, Upton Street, and Kulper Road during the times when Food Share's Mobile Pantry is operating. Residents have expressed concerns about vehicles parking on both sides of the roads, creating difficulties for traffic flow and potentially obstructing access for emergency vehicles. Petition CONSENT AGENDA - All reports are on consent unless removed during the Common Council meeting. REPORTS OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, DEPARTMENTS AND LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEES: A. RE: CLAIMS FOR INJURIES AND/OR PROPERTY DAMAGE. Report B. RE: ANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL REPORT (ACFR) FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2023. Report Financial Report C. RE: SALE OF SURPLUS EQUIPMENT. Report Tabulation Sheet D. RE: MONTHLY REPORT OF ALL CHECKS CUT BY THE CITY OF NEW BRITAIN. Report Spreadsheet E. BOARD OF POLICE COMMISSIONERS RESPONE TO ITEM NO. 36373. RE: REQUEST TO REINSTALL STOP SIGN NEAR 2453 CORBIN AVENUE. Report Original Petition F. BOARD OF POLICE COMMISSIONERS RESPONSE TO ITEM NO. 36408. RE: SPEED AND PARKING RESTRICTION ENFORCEMENT AROUND WASHINGTON PARK. Report Original Petition G. BOARD OF POLICE COMMISSIONERS RESPONSE TO ITEM NO. 36415. RE: TO RESTRICT PARKING ON CITY AVENUE TO ONE SIDE OF THE STREET. Report Original Petition H. BOARD OF POLICE COMMISSIONERS RESPONSE TO ITEM NO. 36441. RE: REQUEST FOR PARKING RESTRICTION ENFORCEMENT ON WILDWOOD STREET AT CHESLEY PARK.  Report Original Petition REPORTS RETURNED FROM COMMITTEE RESOLUTIONS RETURNED FROM COMMITTEE NEW RESOLUTIONS 1. RE: TAX ABATEMENTS, CORRECTIONS AND REFUNDS. J. MCNAMARA Resolution 2. RE: ABILITY WALK & ROLL AND DISABILITY AWARENESS DAY. L. MCADAM, C. SCOTT, J. HARGRAVES, A. RUSSELL, S. BELOIN-SAAVEDRA Resolution 3. RE: TAX MODIFICATION AGREEMENT WITH THE HOUSING AUTHORITY FOR THE NEW CONSTRUCTION AT MOUNT PLEASANT. UNFINISHED BUSINESS RE: UNFINISHED BUSINESS Unfinished Business ADJOURNMENT