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AUGUST 10, 2006

ATTENDANCE: Calvin Hilliard, Chair; Douglas Hempstead; Kelly Straniti.

STAFF: Frederic Gilden, Comptroller

OTHERS: Lisa Biagiarelli, Tax Collector; Hal Alvord, Director, DPW; Michael Greene, Director, P&Z; Karen DelVecchio, Director of Information Techology; Thomas Schadlich, Chief of Technical Services, Norwalk Public Library

CALL TO ORDER

Mr. Hilliard called the meeting to order at 8:10 p.m. He noted that as there was no quorum in attendance, no votes could be taken on any agenda items, and the items would be passed on to the Common Council.

1. SENT FROM COUNCIL: APPROVE THE AMENDMENT TO THE CONTRACT WITH CHAN KRIEGER & ASSOCIATES TO COMPLETE THE PLAN OF CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT FOR A SUM NOT TO EXCEED $64,000 (INCLUDING A 10% CONTINGENCY)

** MR. HEMPSTEAD MOVED THE ITEM FOR DISCUSSION.

Mr. Hempstead stated that he had some concerns about the contract. He felt that there was not enough funding to do an in-depth analysis on the challenges that face Norwalk such as increased traffic, additional classrooms that might be needed, or the sewer infrastructure. He said he wanted more in-depth discussion. Are more police needed, more DPW workers is the water company going to be able to handle more people. Mr. Hempstead said he would rather see more money spent to get a better contract. He asked if there was additional work that should be done before the contract is voted on. He also felt that office space was the best return on the City’s investment.

Mr. Hempstead said that as the trend is to convert light industrial areas into housing space, have these questions been addressed, and where do we pick up in the future. Mr. Greene said they have been through cycles for housing and offices, but never through a cycle for light industrial, it is new territory. They can get a consultant to say what will happen over the next ten years, but not a three-year period or a seven-year period.

Mr. Hempstead was in favor of moving forward, but would like to see the sum not exceed the $64,000. Mr. Greene said he can get the information within the next few weeks and can email it to the Council members so that everyone has it. Mr. Hilliard agreed and said that they can address any questions before the next council meeting.

Ms. Straniti asked if this item would go for a vote at the next Council meeting. Mr. Hilliard said it would after they get more information from Mr. Greene and they can discuss it and answer any questions. Ms. Straniti said she was concerned with the impact on the infrastructure and suggested holding a special meeting before taking the item to the Council.

Mr. Hilliard said the item can move forward but he would like to have some further guidance on it because it has already been sent back from the Council once before. He suggested the item move forward pending input from the Council.

The item was moved forward to the Council.

2. SENT FROM COUNCIL: AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO SIGN THE CONTRACT WITH CHAN KRIEGER & ASSOCIATES

** MR. HEMPSTEAD MOVED THE ITEM.

Mr. Hilliard said this will go along with the first item, and will move forward pending further input from the Council.

The item was moved forward to the Council.

3. AUTHORIZE THE PURCHASING AGENT, GERALD FOLEY, TO ISSUE A PURCHASE ORDER TO INNOVATIVE INTERFACES, INC. (III) FOR THE PURCHASE OF 5 III MILLENNIUM STAFF USER LICENSES FOR THE SOUTH NORWALK LIBRARY FOR AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $6,250.00, ACCOUNT 0907070600-5777-C0375 AND 016200-5263 AND FORWARD SUCH ONTO THE COMMON COUNCIL FOR FURTHER ACTION.

** MS. STRANITI MOVED THE ITEM FOR DISCUSSION.

Ms. DelVecchio gave the Committee a brief background on the request. She stated that the item has already been approved in the Capital Budget and is not a Special Appropriation. The purchase was approved by the ITT Committee in the June 21st meeting.

Mr. Schadlich explained the problems the library has experienced with the server due to the access license limit and indicated that there will be less problems with people being unable to log in once they receive more licensing.

The item was moved along to the Council.

4. CLAIMS COMMITTEE: RECEIVE THE MONTHLY CLAIMS REPORT; REVIEW AND APPROVE CLAIMS AS REQUIRED FOR CLAIMS REPORT DATED:
AUGUST 10, 2006.

Ms. Biagiarelli reviewed the monthly Claims Reports.

5. NARRATIVE ON TAX COLLECTION DATED AUGUST 10, 2006 – RECEIVE REPORT AND DISCUSS.

Ms. Biagiarelli explained the Special Requests appearing on the report. Mr. Hempstead asked if they go against last year or this year. Ms. Biagiarelli said that it was factored into “erosion.”

6. MONTHLY TAX COLLECTOR’S REPORT DATED JUNE 30, 2006 – RECEIVE REPORT AND DISCUSS.

Ms. Biagiarelli stated that she hadn’t had time to prepare a narrative for this month due to the amount of work in her department, and was still working on her July narrative as well. Both narratives will be presented at the next meeting. Ms. Biagiarelli noted that the City has hit 98.6% again this year for the second year in a row through June, and this number should go up a bit when they look at the Grand List. She said when the July figures come out there will be more information. All the tax bills have gone out on time and the office is running smoothly butshe will have more information at the end of August. She was not anticipating any problems at the beginning of the new fiscal year

Ms. Biagiarelli left the meeting at 8:50 p.m.

Because the Committee was unable to vote to accept Ms. Biagiarelli’s reports, Mr. Hempstead stated for the record that the Committee accepts the Tax Collector’s reports dated June 30, 2006 and August 10, 2006.

7. STATE OF CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT URBAN ACTION GRANT:

a. Authorize the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia, to execute any and all documents necessary to apply for and accept grant funds from the State of Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development Urban Action Grant program for the Maritime Aquarium Debt Refinancing.

Authorize the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia, to execute any and all agreements, documents, instruments, or amendments as may be necessary to implement Department of Economic and Community Development Urban Action Grant program for the Maritime Aquarium Debt Refinancing.

** MS. STRANITI MOVED THE ITEM FOR DISCUSSION.

Mr. Gilden briefly updated the Committee on the grant, which was for the repayment of debt services to the City for the construction of the Norwalk Maritime Aquarium Environmental Education Center. He explained that this will give the City all the money this year instead of over the course of the next three years, and will enable the Maritime Aquarium to pay off part of its debt for the next two years.

The item was forwarded to the Council.

8. RESOLUTION TO CLOSE OUT A $250,000 CAPITAL APPROPRIATION THAT HAS NOT BEEN EXPENDED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A TICKETING COUNTER FOR THE MARITIME AQUARIUM IN THE MARITIME GARAGE (PROJECT ACCOUNT NO. 09030910-5777-C0308).

** MS. STRANITI MOVED THE ITEM FOR DISCUSSION.

Mr. Gilden stated that this item was to close the project for constructing a ticket office in the Maritime Parking Garage. He said that no money was expended as the project was deemed not needed, the Maritime Aquarium having decided they did not want to open a second ticketing office in the garage, and the project is being taken off the books and the proposed funding returned, which will enable another project to be funded.

9. RESOLUTION TO APPROPRIATE $150.000 TO COMPLETE TWO SOUTH NORWALK LIGHTING PROJECTS (PROJECT ACCOUNT NO. 09074021-5777-C0380)

** MS. STRANITI MOVED THE ITEM FOR DISCUSSION.

Mr. Gilden stated that the funding from the closed project for the Maritime Garage ticketing office can now be used in this project.

Mr. Alvord explained that the lighting project will complete the lighting on North Water Street between Washington Street and Marshall Street, and will replace the electrical conduit for lights on Washington Street. He said that part of the project entails moving seven historic lampposts which seem to get knocked down on a regular basis. Mr. Alvord said that previously the only portion of the project that had been approved was lighting on Ann and Marshall Streets under the railroad overpasses, and now they have the opportunity to put this part of the project out to bid.

The item was forwarded to the Council.

10. RESOLUTION APPROPRIATING $750,000 FOR THE NATHANIEL ELY CHILD CARE CENTER (PROJECT ACCOUNT NO. 09074071-5777-C0346).

** MR. HEMPSTEAD MOVED THE ITEM FOR DISCUSSION.

Mr. Gilden briefly explained the project, which is to renovate and expand the Child Care Center and allow for expansion of openings at the facility serving Norwalk children in families living in or near poverty. This will allow the City to transform the Nathaniel Ely Child Care Center into a child development showplace and utilize the best practices in the child development field to provide Norwalk’s children with the strong early foundation they need to close the Achievement Gap. The City will be receiving additional State funding in the amount of $750,000. The request is 100% financed through the Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority (CHEFA).

The item was forwarded to the Council.

11. RESOLUTION TO APPROVE WPCA APPROPRIATION IN THE AMOUNT OF $191,000 FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES RELATED TO INDUSTRIAL PRETREATMENT PROGRAM (IPP) SURVEY. APPROPRIATION TO BE FUNDED FROM THE WPCA FUND BALANCE (ACCOUNT 224062-5230).

** MS. STRANITI MOVED THE ITEM FOR DISCUSSION.

Mr. Alvord stated that they want to develop an Industrial Pretreatment Program for those residents who dump chemicals into the waste treatment plant. He said a High Strength Permit must be gotten from the State in order for residents to do this. Mr. Alvord said that in order to develop the IPP, they will have to visit every food preparation business in the City in order to gauge the strength of the effluent being released into the system.

A discussion followed.

The item was forwarded to the Council.

12. SENT FROM COUNCIL – TECHNICAL CORRECTION: CORRECT COMMON COUNCIL ACTION OF APRIL 25, 2006 UNDER ITEM VII A-3 TO READ AS:
AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR, RICHARD A. MOCCIA, TO EXECUTE A THREE (3) YEAR AGREEMENT FOR MAILROOM SERVICES WITH LANIER PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, A DIVISION OF LANIER WORLDWIDE, INC., FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $172,720.80 IN COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 3-503 OF THE CITY OF NORWALK PROCUREMENT GUIDELINES DATED 2/4/2006 (MULTI-YEAR CONTRACT)

** MS. STRANITI MOVED THE ITEM FOR DISCUSSION.

Mr. Gilden explained that this item is simply just a change of wording to put the actual company name in the previously received authorization.

Mr. Hempstead suggested that in the future the City should allow for some latitude in the procurement process, asking why make more paperwork if it is only a one-word change. Mr. Gilden explained that as it now stands, they need to have the correct name when authorizing.

13. AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR, RICHARD A. MOCCIA, TO EXECUTE AN INSURANCE CONTRACT WITH CONNECTICUT GENERAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY TO PURCHASE INDIVIDUAL STOP LOSS INSURANCE FOR FY 2006-07, AT A COST NOT TO EXCEED $8.03 PER COVERED EMPLOYEE PER MONTH. TOTAL ANNUAL PREMIUM ESTIMATED AT $78,000. ACCOUNT NUMBER TO BE DETERMINED (INSURANCE INTERNAL SERVICE FUND).

** MR. HEMPSTEAD MOVED THE ITEM FOR DISCUSSION.

Mr. Gilden stated that this request is to purchase stop loss insurance to protect the City against the cost of catastrophic health claims, which it currently does not have, so right now the cost of any catastrophic claims must be borne by the City. The cost to the City should not exceed $8.03 per month.

A brief discussion followed.

The item was forwarded to the Council.

14. APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE FOLLOWING FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETINGS: JUNE 14, 2006 AND JUNE 26, 2006
NOTE; ACTION SUBJECT TO COMMON COUNCIL APPROVAL

Mr. Hilliard suggested the minutes be tabled until the next meeting as there is no quorum in attendance to vote on them. Mr. Hempstead and Ms. Straniti agreed.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Linda J. Hayes
Telesco Secretarial Services