Committee on Administration, Finance and Law and Public Services Public Hearing and Special Meeting - January 21, 2025
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Committee on Administration, Finance and Law and Public Services Public Hearing and Special Meeting - January 21, 2025
The Committee on Administration, Finance and Law and Public Services held a public hearing and special meeting on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at 6:01 PM in the Common Council Chambers. The meeting addressed two agenda items: a tax modification agreement for a solar facility at 250 Stanley Street and the minutes of Common Council committee meetings.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No members of the public spoke during the public hearing. Attorney Michael Carrier (representing the developer) introduced himself and indicated they would speak during the special meeting.
Discussion Items
- Tax Modification Agreement with Ellis Stanley Land LLC (Item 36666): The committee considered a proposed tax modification agreement for a solar photovoltaic facility to be built on a 3-acre parcel at 250 Stanley Street. The project is part of the Ellis Block redevelopment (321 Ellis Street), which is approximately 95% complete and will provide 154 units of affordable housing. The solar facility, owned by Stanley Street Solar LLC (a Wind Companies entity), is designed to generate approximately $92,787 in annual savings (about $600 per unit per year) for residents through Eversource’s community solar program. The developer requested a 25-year tax exemption on the personal property (solar equipment) while the land would continue to be taxed. The city assessor estimated the tax break over 25 years at approximately $461,000 based on a projected equipment cost of $1.625 million and depreciation schedules. Key discussion points included: the need for a pilot agreement to secure financing, the fixed 20-year power purchase agreement with Eversource, the 0.5% annual degradation in production, decommissioning requirements, and mechanisms to ensure savings are passed to residents. The committee amended the resolution to reduce the exemption period from 25 years to 10 years with an option to renew, and to change the savings language from "approximately" to "up to." The committee then voted to refer the resolution as amended to the full Common Council with a favorable recommendation (all in favor).
- Minutes of Common Council Committee Meetings (Item 36686): Alderwoman Beloin-Savage introduced a resolution to amend the standing rules to require committee approval of minutes before posting. Discussion focused on balancing state law requiring minutes to be posted within seven days with the desire for committee affirmation. Corporation counsel clarified that minutes could be posted as draft and later amended. The committee voted to refer the resolution to the full Common Council with a neutral recommendation (all in favor).
Key Outcomes
- Tax Modification Agreement: The committee voted unanimously to approve the resolution as amended (10-year term with option to renew, savings described as "up to $92,787") and referred it to the full Common Council for final action.
- Minutes of Common Council Committee Meetings: The committee voted unanimously to refer the resolution (requiring committee approval of minutes) to the full Common Council with a neutral recommendation.
- Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at approximately 7:00 PM.
Meeting Transcript
I call to order the January 21st, 2025 public hearing and special meeting of the Committee on Administration, Finance, and Law and Public Services. Time is now 6.01 P.M. Mr. Clerk, when you get the chance, will you please call the roll? Alderman Connors? President. Alderman McDamira. Present. Alderman Santiago. Alderman Simpson. Present. Alderman Gibson. Alderman Pabone. Alderman Smedley. Alderwoman Beloin Savage. Alderman Russell. He is seated for he is a voted member for Alderman Gibson. Also seated as Alderwoman Scott. We have a core. Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Mr. Clerk, will you please read into the record the notice of public hearing? I would like to make a motion to waive the reading of the legal notice. We have a motion to wave made by Alderman Santiago, seconded by Alderman Simpson. All in favor say aye. Aye. All opposed, nay. Motion carries. The reading is waived. Having been noticed properly, we will begin the public hearing. Please remember to state your name and address for the record and limit your speaking to time to three minutes. The items for public hearing are item number 3666 tax modification agreement with Ellis Stanley Land LLC and item number 36686 minutes of the common council committee meetings. Are there any speakers for these items? Good evening, Mr. Chairman. I'm not sure if you want us to speak during the public participation. Oh yeah, red button, thanks. During the meeting. Yes. Well, I'll just uh introduce the those present here for this proposal. And I'm attorney Michael Carrier, 24 Cedar Street, New Britain. I have with me Mr. Darien uh Crimin. He's the Vice President for Energy and Sustainability for Wind Development Companies, which is the really the builder of the Ellis block down at 321 Ellis Street. So we can save our comments till you till the item comes up. Thanks, yes. Thank you, Attorney Carrier. We'll look forward to hearing from you. Looking uh for any other speakers on these items, the tax modification agreement and the minutes of the common council committee.
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