Minutes

Present: B. Clouette, J. Bell-Elkins, R. Miller, A.J. Pappanikou, E. Paterson,

G. Zimmer

Staff: M. Hart, M. Ninteau, C. van Zelm

1. Opportunity for Public to Address the Committee

None.

2. October 10, 2006 Meeting Minutes

Ms. Bell-Elkins made a motion, seconded by Mr. Pappanikou, to approve the minutes of October 10, 2006. The motion passed unanimously.

3. Mansfield Housing Code

Mr. Michael Ninteau, Mansfield Director of Building and Housing Inspection, gave a presentation regarding the implementation and status of the new housing inspection program. The program has been running for three months, and the implementation has gone well. Most of the landlords have been cooperative. The inspectors have completed the inspections at Carriage House, and Celeron Square is 90% complete. Of the 237 inspections conducted thus far, the office has issued 154 rental certificates and found violations in 46 of the units. Also, the office has issued six waivers pending correction. One issue that has been a bit of a surprise is that the office has only received six complaints thus far, and only one of those complaints has come from a tenant. This may change as tenants become more familiar with the program.

Ms. Bell-Elkins reported that everything she has heard about the new program has been very positive, and that USG plans to reference the code in its student rights guide.

Mr. Pappanikou asked if rental units owned by the university fall under the jurisdiction of the housing code. Those units do not.

Mr. Ninteau also referenced the landlord registration ordinance that was recently adopted by the Town Council. Under this ordinance, non-resident owners of residential rental properties must provide the town with a mailing address by December 31, 2006. Response from the landlord community has been light, but should pick up as the deadline approaches. The housing office will send a reminder. On this point, Mr. Clouette suggested that the town include a reminder as an insert in the trash collection bills.

4. Update re: Mansfield Downtown Partnership

Ms. van Zelm reported that the October 24^th presentation to the partnership’s board of directors and planning and design committee was favorably received. Right now, the development team is focused on preparing the application for the special design district for Storrs Center, which application the team hopes to submit to the planning and zoning commission by the end of the calendar year. Also, the partnership is still working to obtain state and federal funding for the project, and we should know more around the first of the year. Lastly, in collaboration with town staff the partnership is planning a winter event for February, which will feature ice-skating, a horse drawn carriage and ice sculptures, as well as a “wacky hat” contest.

5. Center for Off-Campus Services

Ms. Bell-Elkins reported that the university has received over 40 applications for the position, and approximately 20 are qualified. Mr. Pappanikou asked if the university had secured funding for the position. Funding has been secured, and the university hopes to have someone in the position in February/March 2007.

6. Community/Campus Partnership

Ms. Bell-Elkins discussed the recent activities of the partnership. The group has maintained its core group of 20-25 people. This year, the partnership intends to be somewhat more strategic about outlining its goals, and plans to form three subcommittees.

Ms. Paterson mentioned that at a recent partnership meeting a student member raised a concern about a notice he had received from his landlord regarding drinking water, and that a fellow member of the partnership who happened to work for the health district was able to help resolve the matter.

Ms. Bell-Elkins concurred that there is significant value to the conversation, as well as the mentor experience that the students receive.

7. UConn Water and Wastewater Systems Master Plan

Mr. Miller reported that the master plan selection committee held a kickoff meeting yesterday to welcome the firms of Milone & MacBroom and Tighe & Bond, who have been selected to prepare the master plan. The consultants will be looking at the big picture, including the service area, capacity for growth, ownership and governance. The larger water and wastewater advisory committee will be meeting again in the near future.

Mr. Clouette asked if meetings of the committee are open to the public. The meetings are public, and community members are welcome.

Mr. Miller also pointed out that the committee will probably ask the state for an extension past February 1, 2007 for the completion of the master plan. April 1, 2007 may be a more realistic date.

8. Other Business

a. Student union theatre – Mr. Pappanikou asked about advertising the film schedule at the student union theatre. Ms. Bell-Elkins explained that the theatre does advertise in the Daily Campus, both in hard copy and online. Mr. Pappanikou suggested that the theatre consider advertising in the UConn Advance as well.

The meeting adjourned at 4:55 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Matthew W. Hart

Council Chambers

Minutes

Town Manager