Welcome back to the June 24th regular meeting of the New Britain Common Council.

And we begin.

I think we're completing our sign up list now.

And then if somebody has not signed up or somebody's calling in, they will be recognized to speak.

Thank you.

Our first speaker is John Kristapic.

Thank you for this opportunity.

Happy Fourth of July.

Thousands coming to celebrate the fourth at Walnut Hill Park.

I hope people in the neighborhood will be notified about the parking tsunami that will be coming their way.

Where is the rage?

I hope someone looks at the debts we took on and the refinancing during the past administration.

I found a note from our finance department that lists debts from 2014 to 2017.

2014, refinance 9,600, 2015, refinance pension 56 million.

2015, new, 29 million.

2016, refinance 44, 545 million.

2017, refinance A, 8 million five hundred seventy thousand.

2017, refinance B, 13 million five.

2017, new 53 million one hundred and forty-five thousand.

That's up to 2017.

I haven't gotten updated since then.

There was a new plan addressing our debt in 2018.

Smaller payments for eight years.

After 2026, debt payments would increase, becoming dramatically higher over the course of the next 21 years.

Warning, warning.

So the high railer just sold.

Began construction January 5th, 2022.

It's coming on four years.

Still doesn't have a certificate of occupancy.

The strand broke round.

92023.

The developer got a four million grant from Connecticut Communities Challenging Grant from the State Department of Economic Community Development.

I hope they didn't write them a check at the time.

Aaron Stewart's words.

Whether do you put your resources?

Where do you put your resources?

Do you put your resources into retail or are we putting it into housing?

I am so glad we put it into housing, because feed on the street is going to drive the economy.

After the Memorial Day weekend, I was listening to the radio in one of the uh local uh dish jockeys or whatever you call them now.

She had some uh pretty good comments.

She said she had spent the weekend moving her son out of the Brit.

She said some things I can't actually repeat, but basically she said, what is up with downtown New Britain?

Where is the rage?

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Kristapic.

I think you took it three minutes, even though it says two two minutes and eleven seconds.

Okay, keep going.

Our next speaker is Mr.

Orlando Baldwin.

Good afternoon.

My name is Orlando Baldwin.

My voice gonna sound a little rattly because it's the first time I'm really talking like this.

But my concern is where I live.

At 375, you have an address, Mr.

Baldwin?

375 Mare um Farmerton Avenue.

Thank you.

Um I've called the cops twice in the last week.

I've talked to the landlord over two years ago.

Is mental health mixed with drug abuse, it's a bad situation.

No, they don't see it like that because they don't want to be bothered.

I was told by the landlord to watch out for retaliation.

That's all I got.

All right, sir.

Somebody somebody might be able to address your concerns after uh after this portion of the meeting ends.

Okay.

Mr.

Charles Smith is our next speaker.

Charles Smith, 236 Jubilee Street.

I know my face is familiar.

And I guess I'm just planning on coming to every meeting.

But I'm hoping you can hear this if it comes out this time.

Oh no.

Well.

Oh, here we go.

It's working.

Hey, Mr.

Smith, that's Justin Conn from Mayor Stewart's office.

Um I think I got some new goods.

Excuse me, some good news for you.

You know what?

What will go wrong will go wrong.

Mr.

Smith, can I suggest you paraphrase uh what you're what you're trying to convey to the council?

No, no, no, no, no, no.

I don't I don't want to be interrupted this time.

No, no.

Looks like we're gonna be able to make a lot of uh we'll try it again.

I got three minutes.

Hey, Mr.

Smith, that's Justin Conn from Mayor Stewart's office.

Um I think I got some new goods, excuse me.

Some good news for you.

Um looks like we're gonna be able to make a lot of uh at least a good portion of some of those changes that you suggested at the meeting with me and be able to take care of uh some of your outstanding reimbursements.

Uh if you want to give me a call back here, my number's 860 826 3303.

Thanks.

And these things have been going on, and Justin in the private conversations, you know, I can't believe he left a message for one thing.

Like that.

The private conversation, we're gonna take care of you.

Bring in all of your old estimates that you have.

We'll take care of all the way going back.

Now whether it was legal or illegal, I don't know.

But my thing is I get promised these things from uh the city of New Britain, and he's a representative, got voted in or appointed.

And you know, people here have seen me before, and then they come and they say, Mr.

Smith, they should pay you.

They should pay you.

And now they're in charge, and you know, I'm not hearing that same thing.

So, uh, people have problems finding the video and the recordings because this is all recorded.

So I I said I I'm bringing some uh some of the estimates that I had before, because you know, uh selective amnesia.

You know, they forget.

It's not fair when some people get paid and others don't get paid.

I got a laundry list and I'm gonna be coming here every single meeting that you have.

Now, I was told, and you know what?

Attorney Mary seems like she's a pretty nice lady.

She was the lady that sent me the thing tell me I wasn't getting paid, but now she kind of uh but I don't you you have private conversations, you guys don't know that.

You bring it to the public.

That's the thing.

So I want to bring it to the public so the public knows what's going on.

Because when you get the private conversations, it's well, statute of limitations.

But this has been going on and on and on and on and kicking the t thing down the table.

I'm done.

Thank you.

And here who do I hand this to?

Okay, my my new friend Mary.

Okay.

No resolution at this time.

Thank you, Miss Mr.

Smith.

Welcome.

My next speaker is Alberto Duarte.

Alberto.

Hello, my name is Alberto Duarte.

I live at 119 Willow Street in New Britain, Connecticut.

And I'm so sorry that I didn't make it to the groundbreaking by overslept by a doggone hour.

Forget to set my alarm clock.

But anyways, um I know that everybody here approved my proposal.

But I don't remember if I put in um the scooter situation.

It's monotonous.

They drive through the park with people in it.

High speed.

And I know you're gonna be building a parking lot, but is there a way that something can get blocked so they don't go in there?

Because to me it makes sense.

So last week I got corrected on something that I mentioned, and then I thought about it afterwards.

So I have a vision, and what I would like to see is a community center.

Because we definitely needed around the neighborhood.

Get the kids off the streets.

How I'm gonna even if I could say the word once, yeah, I do.

Because I envision how it's going to be built.

And excuse me.

So like I said the last time, when I get my computer out of the pawn shop, I'm gonna be writing on paper the proposal, then I'm gonna put it into my laptop, then have everything printed out.

So something like that.

It's been my vision for a long time.

So um hmm.

Yeah, that part.

But we still have to figure out the scooter situation, because one day somebody's gonna get hit over there.

Because one day I was walking home, and the scooter came up behind me, and my reflex is to bring up my elbow, put my hand like this, so I can clock somebody, and it would be their fault, not mine.

And I know the police department they can't chase them all because of an accident a million years ago on Christian Lane, and that's when the law was made.

So I just need help.

And you guys know I'm one man, one voice, one sound, meaning I get something done, and thank you.

Look at that, three minutes exactly.

Thank you, Alberto.

That's all the names I have on the list.

Does uh is anybody calling in from?

No callers uh for the meeting.

Anybody else wish to speak to the council?

Anybody else?

Third time, anybody else?

Seeing none, this portion of public participation is over at seven sixteen.

Uh does any of my colleagues want to uh respond to what they've heard from the public?

All the woman's got okay.

Hi, everybody.

Peace and love, John.

Thanks for coming out.

Um, and where is the rage, right?

I like that you um made a whole little um speech about that.

Um, we need to do to make things improve things together.

Whatever we need to do to improve them, we need to do that.

Um, second person that came up.

I'm so sorry to hear some of your concerns.

I hope that we can talk some more to find out more information about what's going on, um, so we can help you.

Um, Charles Smith.

Um, it's so nice to see you.

I'm so sad that these things keep happening have been happening and they haven't been taken care of.

I believe some of it is from the prior administration, and we need to look into um how to fix it.

I think you had a recording that you're trying to play us.

And I wonder if you could email it.

Maybe that might be um better for so that we can hear everyone on the council, um, could hear the whole thing.

Um, Alberto, thanks for coming.

Um, I like your style tonight.

And um, let's see what we can do together to s uh make sure that to ensure that we have safety and that we're doing what's best for our community.

So thank you so much.

Thank you all.

Anybody else have any comments?

Anybody else?

Seeing none, that concludes that portion of the meeting, and our the regular meeting will begin shortly, where we're going to uh recognize some folks with be kind to humans t shirts, I believe.

It's seven it's seven eighteen.

Council members, can you please take your seats?

Great.

I call to order the June twenty-fourth, twenty twenty-six regular meeting of the common council.

The time is now seven twenty-five PM.

Yes, your honor.

Madam Clerk for the invocation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

Let us pray.

Lord, we thank you for this day and for the opportunity to gather in service to the people of our city.

As we approach the close of the close of June, we pause to reflect on a month filled with milestones and celebration.

We give thanks for the observance of Juneteenth, a reminder of the enduring pursuit of freedom, justice, and equality for all.

We celebrate our students, teachers, and school staff as another school year comes to a close, and we offer a special congratulations to our graduates as they embark on a new journey filled with promise and possibility.

And as America prepares to celebrate 250 years as a nation, we recommit ourselves.

Let us recommit ourselves to fostering communities grounded in freedom, equity, opportunity, and hope for all.

And as the summer begins, we ask for your protection over our residents.

Keep our children safe in their play, our family safe in their travels, and our community safe in all of its activities.

Grant this council discernment, cooperation, and a spirit of service as we fulfill our responsibilities to this community.

Amen.

Congratulations to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands.

One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

Thank you.

At this time, what I'd like to do is um call up the Camp Total Rec counselors and Mallory.

Would you come up as well?

Um, so we'll just have you right there.

So I want to take a moment to recognize our outstanding parks and recreation staff for their dedication and commitment to preparing for a successful summer.

Recently, a group of New Britain staff attended Camp College at the Southern Connecticut State University, hosted by the Connecticut Recreation and Parks Association.

They participated in training, team building, and professional development focused on creating a positive camp experience for our youth.

Most impressively, our team brought home the overall camp college challenge championship.

So again, you know, this is great.

You know, New Britain keeps on going ahead and being on top.

So I I do have some certificates, and I'm gonna hand these to Mallory.

I'm gonna go out there, Mallory.

I'll bring it.

Okay.

Alderman Santiago for any minutes.

Thank you, Honor.

Make a motion to accept the minutes of the regular meeting of May 27, 2026, and June 10th of 2026.

Second by Alderman Borrero.

Any discussion?

Um Alderwomen, um, yeah.

I just have a I have one question.

Who has been preparing the minutes for us?

We still have Carlos that does do the minutes and also the clerk does our minutes.

Oh, okay.

Carlos, at the moment, as he's occupied.

Yeah, the surgery done.

So okay.

I I also have a question.

Um maybe it's a point of clarification.

Um for the June 10th minutes, and I don't know if this is a question for Mayor, perhaps.

Uh, June 10th minutes, we talk about the compensation um committee, um, our recommendation on um the one dollar recommendation for the registrar of voters, and we amended it.

Um, Alderman Santiago, I believe you uh initiated the amendment, and it was seconded and and and uh voted on.

My question is do we not include what the amendment is about during the minutes?

What is the norm there?

It does say we amended it, but it doesn't tell us what the amendment was.

I believe this is the norm for minutes.

I think this is the way the minutes have been completed in the past, okay.

So then if the public is is looking at the minutes, they they have no clue as to why it was amended.

Well, they're not verbatim minutes, and the public does have the um video if they want to take a look at what the amendment specifically is, but this is typically how our minutes have been done.

Just a question I have, just seems like it makes it difficult for the public to understand to follow.

Understood.

Just wanted to make that point.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Any other seeing none?

All those in favor say aye.

Alright.

All those opposed say nay.

Motion carries.

Alderman Santiago for any amendments.

No amendments, your honor.

Thank you, Alderman.

Uh Madam Clerk, for any petitions.

Yes, Your Honor.

There is one petition.

Uh Town Fair Centers of Connecticut LLC seeks granting of a certificate of location approval to allow state DMV issuance of a motor vehicle repair license for property known uh known as 665 West Main Street.

Okay, refer to city plan commission and zoning subcommittee.

Okay.

Thank you.

Alderman Santiago for the consent agenda.

Thank you, Honor.

Make a motion to accept the consent agenda of item A.

Second by Alderman Barrero.

Uh Madam Clerk, please call the roll.

Alderman McNamara.

Yes.

Alderwoman Scott.

Alderman Simpson.

Yes.

Alderman Malinowski.

Yes.

Alderman Gibson.

Yes.

Alderwoman Delernia.

Yes.

Alderman Santiago.

Yes.

Alderwoman Vargas.

Alderwoman Maldonado.

Alderman Centeno.

Alderwoman Ortiz Luna?

Yes.

Alderman Barrero.

12 years, Your Honor.

Motion carries.

Alderwoman Scott for item number one.

Thank you, Your Honor.

I make a motion to accept and adopt item number one.

Second.

Second by Alderman Santiago.

This is to recognize Juneteenth.

Juneteenth is a significant historical celebration memorizing the liberation of enslaved African Americans in the United States.

On June 19th, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger announced the end of civil war and the abolition of slavery.

Juneteenth has since become a symbol of African-American freedom, triumph, and the ongoing struggle for equality and civil rights.

Juneteenth is a time to reflect on the development and understanding of the history and the experiences of African Americans.

Acknowledging the importance of Juneteenth and stands with diversity and equality and inclusion within our country.

The city of New Britain does this.

250 years ago, this country was formed.

161 years ago, uh slavery ended.

So it's an 89-year difference.

Then there was Jim Crow laws, then there was mass incarceration, and just this week, a one-year-old baby was murdered by the police.

Reminding us that we still have a lot of work to do.

We still have some problems with access to equal education, food insecurities, lack of access to proper health care, and housing discrimination.

But education, housing, and health disparities, food insecurities, impact all of us.

New Britain faces all of these problems.

We want to be better, stronger.

We can be better and stronger together.

Fred Hampton stated, racism.

You fight that with unity.

So I hope that we can all stand, we can all stand in solidarity.

Ensure all human beings have equal opportunities to thrive and live a healthy life and have liberty and justice for all.

And I urge adoption.

Thank you, Alderwoman.

Any discussion?

Seeing none.

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

All those opposed say nay.

Motion carries.

Alderman Alderwoman Vargas for item number two.

Thank you, Your Honor.

I make a motion to accept and adopt item number two.

Second by Alderwoman Luna Ortiz.

Thank you.

To his honor, the mayor and the common council, the city of New Breton.

This resolution authorizes the purchasing agents who are issuing one-year purchase order in the amount of 73,288.

To Superior LLC, a central square company for the annual subscription and maintenance of the city's one solution E RP Software System, Central Square is the sole source provider of the software and related support services, which have been used by the finance department and other city departments for about 10 years.

Because the software is proprietary, these services are only available through the vendor.

Changing providers would require significant implementation, costs, data data, migration, etc.

And uh funding is available through uh the emergency the information technology division maintenance contracts account, and um I urge adoption.

Thank you, Alderwoman.

Any discussion?

Seeing none.

All those in favor say aye, all those apples say nay.

Thank you, honor.

This is a motion to accept adopt number three.

Second by Luna Ortiz.

This is to take the next important step.

Uh uh by assigning uh cardinal engineering um for engineering work for uh final construction bid documents to move forward with the Allen Street phase two project.

Um thanks to the neighbors and citizens who started organizing in 2023 uh and the work of the Sanchez administration in its first months.

Um, uh we're one step closer to uh completing the project, and I urge approval of the 90,000 dollars that comes out of the capital project bond account at DPW.

I think Mr.

Morriar is here if you have any questions, but I'm urge adoption.

Thank you, Alderman.

Any discussion or questions?

Okay, seeing none, all those in favor say aye.

Aye, all those opposed nay.

Motion carries.

Um Alderman Simpson for item number four.

Thank you, Your Honor.

I rise to make a motion to accept and adopt item number four.

Second, second, our Alderman Santiago.

Thank you.

Uh, this resolution is regarding our complete streets improvement project between uh over on Myrtle Street between Armistice and Washington.

It's going to pay for milling, repaving, uh redoing the sidewalks, granite curbing, the whole area there is getting redone, and Britain is situated between uh Boston and New York City.

So in addition to our B line trail, this is another connection of connecting New Britain from east to west, uh, and the amount of four million nine hundred thousand for uh fifty four thousand four hundred and ninety-seven dollars.

And Irish adoption just before I sit back down.

I will say the state is covering a lot of this.

Um there's multiple funding sources.

Part of it is one hundred percent covered by the state and other portions.

Uh the city is only covering twenty percent of the cost.

So this is a massive improvement for the people living near on this armistice street.

Um, when the Mount Pleasant redevelopment is finished and folks are able to move back into homes, they can come back to not only new housing units but new connectivity to downtown for pedestrian safety and accessibility.

Thank you.

Thank you, Alderman.

Any discussion, seeing none.

All those in favor say aye.

All right.

All those opposed, nay.

Motion carries.

Um Alderman Barrero for item number five.

Thank you, Your Honor.

Uh I make a motion to accept and adopt item number five.

Second by Luce Alderman.

Alder Woman, Liz Luna.

Uh this resolution is regarding uh purchase of chemicals, uh fertilizers, grass, grass and pesticides for the New Brenton recreation and community service department uh for Stanley golf course.

Uh and I urge adoption.

Thank you, Alderman.

Any discussion on this item?

Seeing none, all those in favor say aye.

Aye, all those opposed, nay.

Motion carries to adjourn.

Um, stop.

You didn't have it?

Okay.

Okay, great.

Okay.

Motion to adjourn.

Second by um, um Luna Ortiz.

Good.

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Um opposed, nay.

Motion carries.

Meeting is adjourned at seven forty two p.m.

Um, I think that was a concern.

Okay.

That's what I had on here.

Mm.

Oh.

Oh.

Come on.

Oh.

Come.

Human.

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L'humour.

L'autre l'autre on, so, oh Human, so, oh, oh, oh, oh, Home, okay, okay, okay.

Humanity, and so Hold on, so, oh, L'humour.

Humanseo, oochio, and L'humour.

Humanseo, I'm not sureumanseo, I'm not sure, I'm notuman, okay, okay, okay, oumanseo, oochio, and Humanseo, I'm not sure.

Hold on.

Humming.

Oh, Humanseo, oochenseo, and Hold on, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, L'humour.

N'en I think it's a good one