JANUARY 18, 2007

ATTENDANCE: Douglas Sutton, Chairman; Douglas Hempstead, Gwen Briggs
William Krummel, Kevin Poruban (7:45 p.m.), Nicholas Kydes
(7:45 p.m.)

STAFF: Alan Lo, Buildings and Facility Manager

OTHERS: Atty. Peter Nolin, Norwalk Corporation Counsel, Ralph Velenzisi.
Norwalk Public Schools Director of Technology, Hal Alvord,
Department of Public Works Director

I. ROLL CALL

Mr. Sutton called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. and announced that there was a quorum present.

II. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING(S)

November 16, 2006

** MR. KRUMMEL MOVED TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES AS SUBMITTED.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

III. OLD BUSINESS

A. Fodor Farm

Discussion

Attorney Nolin distributed information packet to the members of the Committee including a letter dated January 18, 2006 from Attorney Nolin to Mr. Sutton regarding the Fodor Farm Deed Restrictions.

Atty. Nolin gave a brief overview of the concept of deed restrictions to the Committee. He pointed out that Rowayton has recently attached deed restriction to a parcel that will be used for historical purposes. Atty. Nolin also said that he had acquired some information from Redding on deed restrictions. He asked the Committee to consider two issues: what the deed restrictions would contain and how the Committee planed to enforce the restrictions once they were in place. He also reminded the Committee members that even without the establishment of a Historic District, deed work would need to be done and the lot lines would need to be revised.

Mr. Krummel asked Atty. Nolin for clarification on the difference between covenants and deed restrictions. Atty. Nolin replied that deed restrictions stayed with the parcel while covenants generally had some type of time limit on them.

Mr. Poruban and Mr. Kydes joined the meeting at 7:45 p.m.

Atty. Nolin also informed the Committee that he had contacted CCM about this, but had not yet received any information back from them. Then in response to a question, Atty. Nolin reviewed the role of Historic District Board.

Mr. Kydes stated that in his opinion, if the outside of the house conformed to its original design and the materials used, he would be agreeable. Mr. Krummel then asked the chair for clarification about the subject under discussion, stating that remarks about personal opinions were out of order. Mr. Hempstead stated that while the material had just been handed out to the members of the Committee, Atty. Nolin was present and if a Committee member had something that he wished to say to Atty. Nolin, that Committee member should be able to express it.

Mr. Krummel had a number of questions about the details of a Historic District. Atty. Nolin said that he would need the statutes in order to answer those questions. Mr. Krummel then said that if there was to be a discussion of the subject, he would want Mr. Todd Bryant present.

Mr. Kydes said that he disagreed with having Mr. Bryant present as he did not want the Committee discussion to turn into a debate. At the last meeting, Mr. Bryant had spoken freely about the issue and now the discussion should be among Committee members.

Mr. Hempstead commented that so far, nothing had been said about the cost of establishing a Historic District. He also asked if some of the conflicts between the State and local ordinances could be addressed.

Mr. Poruban said that when Mr. Bryant had been present at the meeting, Mr. Bryant had indicated that there was a lawsuit going on in New Canaan Historical District. Atty. Nolin said that while he was not sure if the case that his office was handling was the one that Mr. Bryant was referring to, there was a case involving two years worth litigation over some windows. Atty. Nolin then gave a brief overview of the situation, which resulted in the Chairman of the Historic District having to recuse himself in regards to decisions. Atty. Nolin also stated that Southbury has several Historic Districts and that he would be receiving information from them.

Mr. Kydes had several questions about the size of Historic Districts, the number of houses included in the area, what the impact of open spaces would be on the District, and if any of the Historic Districts were city owned property in other municipalities. He also asked for clarification on where the boundaries would be between a Historical District Board before it would infringe on Building or Zoning and Land Use areas of jurisdiction.

Mr. Lo reported that an initial survey had already been completed and that he had proposed lot line revisions for the property. He also commented that the meeting last month had not been a public hearing. Once the decision is made regarding the boundaries, and the terms of the conditions are set, then an 8-24 review will be needed in order to sell the property.

Mr. Krummel thanked Atty. Nolin for his rapid response in providing the materials for the Committee to read.
IV. NEW BUSINESS

A. Board of Education

1. Presentation of Board of Education, Technology Plan

Mr. Valenzisi distributed copies of the Norwalk Public School System Capital Budget for 2007-2008 to the Committee.

Mr. Valenzisi explained that the topics for the various financial requests would be covered in his presentation. Mr. Valenzisi then presented the Capital Budget request to the Committee members.

Following the conclusion of Mr. Valenzisi’s report, Mr. Hempstead asked about the issue of Internet Security. Mr. Valenzisi stated that this was a concern and that the service would be filtered. The filtering is done in accordance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act. He also explained that if a teacher needed access to a particular site for educational purposes, they could request it in advance and access would be permitted. Mr. Hempstead asked if students would be able to access their grades and perhaps change them. Mr. Valenzisi said that only the teachers would have the passwords to enter grades and that they must be careful with those passwords. He also pointed out that there is a very narrow window during which the grades are entered, and that they cannot be entered during other periods.

Mr. Krummel asked if the laptops whose batteries no longer would hold a charge would be used as regular p.c. s. Mr. Valenzisi said that they would be used this way.

Mr. Poruban asked if there would be third party bids for Migration. Mr. Valenzisi confirmed that there would be. Mr. Poruban then stated that he had concerns about proposals 3 a and b. In light of that, it was decided to vote on each item individually.

2. The following item was tabled from January 2, 2007 Special Meeting:

2. Review bid results for multi-media cart and refer the following to the Common Council for approval:
“Authorize the Purchasing Agent to issue Purchase Orders to Adtech Systems, Inc. for the purchase of multi-media carts for the Board of Education for a total not to exceed $91,000.00 Acct. #09075010 5777 C0112”

** MR. PORUBAN MOVED TO APPROVE THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE PURCHASING AGENT TO ISSUE PURCHASE ORDERS TO ADTECH SYSTEMS, INC. FOR THE PURCHASE OF MULTI-MEDIA CARTS FOR THE BOARD OF EDUCATION FOR A TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $91,000.00 ACCT. #09075010 5777 C0112.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

3. Review pricing for digital cameras and equipment and refer the following to the Common Council for approval:

“a. Authorize the Purchasing Agent to issue Purchase Orders to W.B. Hunt Photo & Video for the purchase of digital cameras for the Board of Education for a total not to exceed $19,700.89. Acct. #09075010 5777 C0112

** MR. PORUBAN MOVED TO APPROVE THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE PURCHASING AGENT TO ISSUE PURCHASE ORDERS TO W.B. HUNT PHOTO & VIDEO FOR THE PURCHASE OF DIGITAL CAMERAS FOR THE BOARD OF EDUCATION FOR A TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $19,700.89. ACCT. #09075010 5777 C0112.

Mr. Poruban said that he has some serious concerns with W.B. Hunt Photo and Video as the vendor. He explained that there had been incidents in the past, which led Mr. Poruban to believe they were not reliable. He also had some concerns about the possibility of refurbished cameras being substituted for new ones.

Mr. Poruban also pointed out that using non-Kodak camera batteries would void the warranty. Following some discussion, Mr. Valenzisi said that he would investigate these concerns.

** MR. PORUBAN MOVED TO AMEND HIS ORIGINAL MOTION FROM “APPROVE THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE PURCHASING AGENT TO ISSUE PURCHASE ORDERS TO W.B. HUNT PHOTO & VIDEO FOR THE PURCHASE OF DIGITAL CAMERAS FOR THE BOARD OF EDUCATION FOR A TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $19,700.89. ACCT. #09075010 5777 C0112.”

TO: “APPROVE THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE PURCHASING AGENT TO ISSUE PURCHASE ORDERS TO THE LOWEST RESPONSIBLE BIDDER FOR THE PURCHASE OF DIGITAL CAMERAS FOR THE BOARD OF EDUCATION FOR A TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED (AN AMOUNT TO BE DETERMINED). ACCT. #09075010 5777 C0112.”
** THE MOTION TO AMEND PASSED WITH FOUR IN FAVOR (KYDES, SUTTON, KRUMMEL AND BRIGGS) IN FAVOR AND ONE OPPOSED (HEMPSTEAD).

** MR. PORUBAN MOVED TO APPROVE THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE PURCHASING AGENT TO ISSUE PURCHASE ORDERS TO THE LOWEST RESPONSIBLE BIDDER FOR THE PURCHASE OF DIGITAL CAMERAS FOR THE BOARD OF EDUCATION FOR A TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED (AN AMOUNT TO BE DETERMINED).
** THE MOTION PASSED WITH FOUR IN FAVOR (KYDES, SUTTON, KRUMMEL AND BRIGGS) IN FAVOR AND ONE OPPOSED (HEMPSTEAD).

b. Authorize the Purchasing Agent to issue Purchase Orders to CDWG for the purchase of digital cameras memory cards for the Board of Education for a total not to exceed $2,340.00. Acct. #09075010 5777 C0112”

** MR. PORUBAN MOVED TO APPROVE THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE PURCHASING AGENT TO ISSUE PURCHASE ORDERS TO CDWG FOR THE PURCHASE OF DIGITAL CAMERAS MEMORY CARDS FOR THE BOARD OF EDUCATION FOR A TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $2,340.00. ACCT. #09075010 5777 C0112.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

4. Review pricing for laptops and desktops and refer the following to the Common Council for approval:

“Authorize the Purchasing Agent to issue Purchase Orders to Dell Computers for the purchase of laptop and desktop PCs for the Board of Education for a total not to exceed $233,808.50. Acct. #09075010 5777 C0112.”

** MS. BRIGGS MOVED TO APPROVE THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE PURCHASING AGENT TO ISSUE PURCHASE ORDERS TO DELL COMPUTERS FOR THE PURCHASE OF LAPTOP AND DESKTOP PCS FOR THE BOARD OF EDUCATION FOR A TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $233,808.50. ACCT. #09075010 5777 C0112
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

V. MISCELLANEOUS/DISCUSSION ITEMS

Mr. Hempstead said that he was still unclear as to what the intent was for Fodor Farm. Mr. Sutton said that his view was that the Committee would receive more information and then when they had the chance to digest the new information, the Committee would call a special meeting to discuss the issue. He explained that he expected the Committee to determine the best course of action and make that recommendation to the Council. Mr. Kydes disagreed, saying that he felt both options should be presented to the Council. Mr. Hempstead agreed with Mr. Sutton, saying that the Committee needed to recommend one course of action or the other.

Ms. Briggs asked when a survey of the property would be done. Mr. Lo informed her that a survey has already been done. He also said that he would check into lot line revision and have both pieces of information for the next meeting. Mr. Lo then asked at what point should the Council be given the packets of information that the Committee was receiving. Mr. Sutton recommended that the Council get the information packets as the Committee was receiving them. Mr. Kydes said that the Council members could then email their questions about the issue to Mr. Bryant.

Mr. Alvord was recognized by the chair. He said that it was his observation that when the Fodor Farm Study Group had made their presentation, a number of questions had been asked which the Group had not addressed. Mr. Alvord pointed out that the Council will be asking many of the same questions. Ms. Briggs reminded everyone that that the Council would be emailing their questions to Mr. Bryant and that they would be asking the same ones repeatedly. Mr. Sutton then suggested that the questions be emailed to him first. Mr. Krummel said that it was important to keep Mr. Bryant in the loop by sending him copies of the agenda and letting him know in advance to be prepared to answer questions.

Mr. Poruban said that it was important to look at the initial charge for the Group. He asked if the questions that would be sent to them would be about deed restrictions. Mr. Hempstead commented that he had been under the impression that the Committee would receive a report that outlined the pros and cons of the historic district rather than a history of the farm. Mr. Kydes agreed, saying that the report was more of a research paper and did not lead to a conclusion. Mr. Sutton commented that the Group had followed a particular model for research and in crafting their report.

Mr. Alvord then suggested that all the questions from the Committee about the Farm be emailed to Alan. He said that the Committee was not attacking the Study Group but was asking them for their assistance in providing answers for the Council. This was agreeable to all.

Mr. Alvord then commented that with all due respect to Mr. Poruban, the information presented about the camera vendor would not serve to disqualify that vendor from the bidding process. This will be taken into consideration.

ADJOURNMENT

** MR. KRUMMEL MOVED TO ADJOURN.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

The meeting adjourned at 9:55 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Sharon L. Soltes
Telesco Secretarial Services