APRIL 21, 2005

ATTENDANCE: Bill Krummel, Chairman; Doug Sutton; Bruce Kimmel; Doug Hempstead.

STAFF: Mike Sgobbo.

OTHERS: Carol Ann Falasca, Historical Commission; Craig Reichenbach & Stuart Opdahl, Board of Education; Gail Wall.

ROLL CALL

The meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m. by the Chairman.

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS

** MR. HEMPSTEAD MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2004, NOVEMBER 18, 2004, DECEMBER 16, 2004, FEBRUARY 17, 2005 AND MARCH 21, 2005 AS DISTRIBUTED.
** MOTION PASSED WITH ONE ABSTENTION (MR. KIMMEL).

OLD BUSINESS

There was no old business.

NEW BUSINESS

** MR. HEMPSTEAD MOVED TO SUSPEND THE RULES TO ADD THE VIDEO DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM AT NARAMAKE TO THE AGENDA.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

VIDEO DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM AT NARAMAKE

Mr. Opdahl and Mr. Reichenbach made a presentation on the requested new video system. There will be multi media projectors in the classrooms instead of televisions. They hope to use this as the model for all other schools. It is easier for the teachers to use in the classroom. The delivery into the classroom is the biggest change. They have come in well under the original request of $55,000. The multi media projector will be upgraded by the winner of the bid at the same price. The winner was Valley Communications.

The Chairman asked if the same equipment could be ordered for other schools, noting that this is proposed as a model. Mr. Opdahl said they would use the same spec for Silvermine. Mr. Reichenbach said that the concept would be put into other schools.

Mr. Kimmel asked which curriculum fits into the system. The answer was that it is the curriculum for the 4th and 5th grades at Naramake and Silvermine. Mr. Kimmel spoke about the impact of the internet access to the curriculum. Mr. Reichenbach said it allows the teacher the ability to obtain information from the internet and add it to their curriculum. Mr. Reichenbach said lesson plans can then be shared over the network.

The ten classroom units will cover the 3rd, 4th and 5th grades. Mr. Reichenbach said teachers will be fully trained by the Technology Director for Curriculum.

The Chairman asked for follow up in a year. Mr. Opdahl said that should be done by Mr. Henry, who has reviewed and approved this system.

The Chairman noted that the ITT Committee has approved the system and the vendor.

Mr. Reichenbach reviewed the quoted from the 2 vendors. Mr. Kimmel asked how the Board of Education had approved this. Mr. Opdahl said capital accounts go directly to IT, not to the Board of Education. Mr. Kimmel said he was uncomfortable with this procedure. He would like the Council to approve this contingent upon Board of Education approval.

** MR. KIMMEL MOVED TO APPROVE THE REQUEST FOR THE VIDEO DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM AT NARAMAKE SCHOOL FOR A SUM NOT TO EXCEED $45,987.22, CONTINGENT UPON REVIEW AND APPROVAL BY THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

MISCELLANEOUS/DISCUSSION ITEMS

FODOR FARM – UPDATE ON THE DISPOSITION OF THE HOUSES

Ms. Falasca said that nothing has happened with this property in five years. The Preservation Trust would like this committee to recommend to the City and the Mayor the appointment of a Historic District Study Committee to save three houses by selling them. The park would be dedicated to open space. The City may receive certified local district status, which could lead to federal funding. This is an historic area.

Mr. Kimmel asked what would become historic. Ms. Wall said each house would be subdivided from the from the 9 acres of Fodor Farm and the houses would be renovated. Mr. Kimmel asked how this land is envisioned. Ms. Falasca said that is what the study committee would look into and make recommendations on. Ms. Wall said that the Norwalk Land Trust is very interested in being part of the study. Mr. Kimmel said what the neighborhood wants would have to be factored in.

Mr. Hempstead asked if this land hadn’t originally been purchased as a school site. Mr. Kimmel said it was open space; schools were considered passive open space. A new Brookside School was considered but it was too complicated to build on this site.

Discussion took place on how much this property had cost the City.

Mr. Hempstead said that the Council should either appoint its own committee or a representative from the City and the Council should be on any committee that is formed. The Chairman said no City employee, by statute, can be on the committee.

Mr. Hempstead spoke of the dire need for facilities for teens, such as a sports facility, and he pointed out that this property had been paid for by the entire city. The Chairman said that the community gets involved through membership on the study committee.

The Chairman said that this proposal was presented to the Mayor a year ago but the Mayor has not taken action. Ms. Falasca said they had sent the Mayor a letter on February 21st.

Ms. Wall said last year, the Norwalk Preservation Trust awarded the Brookside kindergarten class medals because they put together a booklet supporting the preservation of Fodor Farm. The community would like to see these three houses saved.

The Chairman asked if the effort to identify a local historical district was damaged because the houses might not be part of it. Ms. Wall said that the land is historically significant. She said that she doubted that the houses would be removed unless they are condemned. The houses would not be altered beyond the architecture of the house.

Mr. Hempstead suggested that the Council president set up a subcommittee. Mr. Kimmel suggested that the Land Use & Building Management Committee appoint a subcommittee which would come back with recommended members and suggest guidelines to present to the Council.

The Chairman noted that the Historical Commission had reviewed this and voted unanimously in favor of it.

Discussion took place between committee members, Ms. Wall and Ms. Falasca.

Mr. Kimmel said they need to come up with names and a direction.

** MR. KIMMEL MOVED TO SET UP A SUBCOMMITTEE COMPRISED OF MR. KRUMMEL AND MR. HEMPSTEAD TO MOVE TOWARD THE OBJECTIVE OF A LOCAL HISTORIC DISTRICT AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE FULL LAND USE & BUILDING MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE ON POSSIBLE MEMBERSHIP AND REPORT BACK AT THE NEXT LAND USE & BUILDING MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Mr. Kimmel proposed that there be a proposal at the next meeting of what has to be done immediately. Mr. Hempstead suggested they have a tour within the next week. The Chairman will arrange a tour.

FRIENDS OF THE NORWALK MUSEUM’S PROPOSED EXHIBIT AT NORWALK MUSEUM

The Chairman said that Corporation Counsel Cicciarello had suggested that this should not be discussed by the Committee. Therefore, this item was tabled.

NEW BUSINESS

ELEVATOR SERVICES: REVIEW BID SUMMARY

Mr. Sgobbo reviewed the proposal. Mr. Hempstead asked if the price included the new police station; Mr. Sgobbo said it did not.

** MR. KIMMEL MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR, ALEX A. KNOPP, TO EXECUTE A SERVICE AGREEMENT WITH HONTZ ELEVATOR COMPANY TO PROVIDE ELEVATOR MAINTENANCE SERVICES FOR CITY BUILDINGS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $1,205.00 PER MONTH FOR THE BALANCE OF FISCAL YEAR 2004-05, FISCAL YEAR 2005-06 IN THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $1,241.15 PER MONTH, FISCAL YEAR 2006-07 IN THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $1,278.38, AND FOR EACH OPTION YEAR, FISCAL YEAR 2007-08 IN THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $1,316.73 PER MONTH AND FISCAL YEAR 2008-09 IN THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $1,356.24. VARIOUS OPERATING BUDGET ACCOUNTS.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

** MR. KIMMEL MOVED TO ADJOURN.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Cheryl Telesco
Telesco Secretarial Services