ATTENDANCE: William Krummel, Acting Chair; Gwen Briggs, Kevin Poruban.
Nicholas Kydes (8:12 p.m.)

STAFF: Allan Lo, Building and Facilities Manager

OTHERS: Laurel Lindstrom, Mrs. Donohue

CALL TO ORDER

Mr. Krummel called the meeting to order at 7:40 p.m. A quorum was not present at this time.
III. NEW BUSINESS

Review request for Technical Correction of previous Council action regarding execution of environmental land restriction documents as required by DEP for the new Police Station site and refer the following to the Common Council for approval:

“Technical Correction: Rescind Common Council Action of October 11, 2005, Item VI. C4. which authorized the following:

“Authorize the Mayor, Alex A. Knopp, to execute any and all documents [including, but not limited to, the filing of an Environmental Land Use Restriction (ELUR)] as required by the CT Department of Environmental Protection relating to the closeout of environmental site remediation work at the New Police Station.”

New action shall be as follows:

“Authorize the Mayor Richard A. Moccia, to execute any and all documents, including but not limited to a "Declaration of Environmental Land Use Restriction (ELUR) And Grant of Easement" as required by the State Department of Environmental Protection in connection with the closeout of the environmental site remediation project for the New Police Station.”

This item was discussed before the meeting was called to order. Mr. Krummel said that this item would be passed along to the Common Council at the next meeting.

A. 15 Pogany Street

1. Review request from owner of 15 Pogany Street (adjacent property owner of Fodor Farm) for a driveway easement.

Mr. Lo displayed a map showing the location of the house in relation to the Pogany Street property. He also reminded the Committee that the markings on the map indicate a “paper road” rather than one that actually exists at this time. Mrs. Donohue greeted the committee and gave an overview of how they planned to install the driveway if granted an easement. She distributed a copy of a drawing of the proposed driveway to the Committee members.

Mr. Krummel said that there was still some question about the status of the property at this time. He also said that this would be more than just an easement for access because the Donohues want to build a driveway. There was some discussion about what would be actually needed. Mr. Lo said that the easement was one option and a second one would be a lease for five years. He then reviewed the pros and cons for each of the options with the Committee. There was some discussion about these items by the Committee.

Mr. Krummel said that the next step would be having the Law Department draft up a document for easement. Mr. Lo said that if the Committee was to approve this, the next step would be sending this to the Planning Commission because an easement requires this. Following this, it would go to the Common Council. When asked, Mr. Lo stated that he preferred granting an easement because once granted, the City would not have to deal with the issue again.

Mr. Krummel said that in the City’s view, a lease would be preferable because it would allow the City to do other things in the future. However, he stated that the Donohues are planning to put in a driveway, and if the City should change its mind in five years, what would happen to the driveway. Mr. Lo pointed out that if the rear house at Fodor Farm is sold, it may require a road that is 24 feet wide, which would impact the Donohue’s property.

Mr. Krummel asked if Corporation Counsel should be asked for guidance as to how this should be handled. Mr. Lo replied that he believed this was a policy decision. Mr. Poruban suggested that the Committee create a restriction so that there would be some flexibility. Mr. Krummel reiterated that he would like this to be reviewed by Corporation Counsel.

B. Office of Building Management

1. Review bids for Roosevelt Center and Westport Avenue Fire Station Roof Replacement Projects and refer recommendation to the Common Council for final approval:

“1a. Authorize the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia, to execute a contract with Quality Roofing Systems, Inc. for the installation of a new roof at Roosevelt Center for a total not to exceed $49,911.00. Capital Acct. 09074071 5777 C0389 & Reserves for Replacement Acct. 03-0000-2633

1b. Authorize the Office of Building Management to issue change orders on contract for a total not to exceed of $4,991.00.

Mr. Lo stated that the roofing projects would be considered as separate projects. Fifteen contractors bid on the project. He then reviewed the details of the Roosevelt Center project with the Committee.

Mr. Kydes joined the meeting at 8:12 p.m.

** MR. KRUMMEL MOVED TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:

1A. AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR, RICHARD A. MOCCIA, TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH QUALITY ROOFING SYSTEMS, INC. FOR THE INSTALLATION OF A NEW ROOF AT ROOSEVELT CENTER FOR A TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $49,911.00. CAPITAL ACCT. 09074071 5777 C0389 & RESERVES FOR REPLACEMENT ACCT. 03-0000-2633

1B. AUTHORIZE THE OFFICE OF BUILDING MANAGEMENT TO ISSUE CHANGE ORDERS ON CONTRACT FOR A TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED OF $4,991.00.

2a. Authorize the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia, to execute a contract with Quality Roofing Systems, Inc. for the installation of a new roof at Westport Avenue Fire Station for a total not to exceed $55,462,00. Acct.09073110 5777 C0384

2b. Authorize the Office of Building Management to issue change orders on contract for a total not to exceed $5,546.00”

Mr. Lo reviewed the details of the Fire Station on Westport Avenue roofing project with the Committee.

** MR. KYDES MOVED TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:

2A. AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR, RICHARD A. MOCCIA, TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH QUALITY ROOFING SYSTEMS, INC. FOR THE INSTALLATION OF A NEW ROOF AT WESTPORT AVENUE FIRE STATION FOR A TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $55,462,00. ACCT.09073110 5777 C0384

2B. AUTHORIZE THE OFFICE OF BUILDING MANAGEMENT TO ISSUE CHANGE ORDERS ON CONTRACT FOR A TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $5,546.00”

** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

3. Review bids for the City Hall security monitoring system project and refer the following to the Common Council for approval:

“a. Authorize the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia, to execute an agreement with Alert Systems LLC, d/b/a Security Specialists for the installation of the security system at Norwalk City Hall for a total not to exceed $36,057.00. Account #09037100 5777 C0264, #09047100 5777 C0264 and #014071 5561

b. Authorize the Office of Building Management to issue change orders on contract for a total not to exceed $ 3,605.70”

Mr. Lo said that there were many ways that this project could be handled. Basically, the cameras would monitor who came in and who left the building. He said that the cameras would be visible and hopefully deter irate citizens. Mr. Lo said that this would involve approximately 10 cameras.

Another problem is that since the building opened, there has been staff turnover. On weekends, there is little or no control over access to the building. Part of the project will be installing key cards on three access doors. The codes will be changed when staff members leave their positions.

The current alarm system is twenty years old. In a future Capital Budget, an upgrade for the alarm system will be requested. The cameras will be the first step.

Mr. Krummel said that he would like the Council to have a brief summary of the situation. Mr. Lo then displayed a schematic, which indicated the various proposed locations of the cameras throughout the building. A discussion about this followed.

Mr. Lo said that he would update his memo and request more information about the type of cameras from the supplier.

** MR. KRUMMEL MOVED TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:

“A. AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR, RICHARD A. MOCCIA, TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH ALERT SYSTEMS LLC, D/B/A SECURITY SPECIALISTS FOR THE INSTALLATION OF THE SECURITY SYSTEM AT NORWALK CITY HALL FOR A TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $36,057.00. ACCOUNT #09037100 5777 C0264, #09047100 5777 C0264 AND #014071 5561

B. AUTHORIZE THE OFFICE OF BUILDING MANAGEMENT TO ISSUE CHANGE ORDERS ON CONTRACT FOR A TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $ 3,605.70”

** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

IV. MISCELLANEOUS DISCUSSION ITEMS

Mr. Lo reported that he had contacted Atty. Nolin regarding drafting some language for a deed restriction on the Fodor Farm property. Atty. Nolin said that when he had attended a Land Use and Building Management meeting two months ago, he had distributed a letter, which outlined the decision process that needed to be followed. Atty. Nolin is waiting on the Committee’s decisions in order to draft the language.

Mr. Lo presented a list of possible items to the Committee for their consideration. One question was whether the Historic Commission or Planning and Zoning would supervise. Mr. Lo suggested that it was probably better to have the Historic Commission oversee the project. In the event that there was a disagreement, then the Common Council would decide.

Mr. Kydes stated that he was not feeling well and would be leaving. Mr. Poruban then suggested that the minutes from the February 15, 2007 meeting be tabled.

II. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MINUTES

February 15, 2007

** MR. PORUBAN MOVED TO TABLE THE MINUTES TO THE NEXT MEETING.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Mr. Kydes left the meeting at 8:44 p.m.

IV. MISCELLANEOUS DISCUSSION ITEMS CONT’D

Mr. Poruban said that he could ask an attorney he knows about the New Canaan lawsuit because the attorney’s firm was representing the client. There was a brief discussion about the New Canaan lawsuit.

Mr. Lo suggested that in lieu of writing their own regulations, that a series of guidelines been submitted. He reminded everyone that the house would be a private residence. In order to allow for this, it would limit the deed restrictions to the outside of the building.

Mr. Lo then reviewed the property line issue with the Committee. Mr. Lo said that he needed to move this forward to allow the project to move forward. He also reviewed the other suggested points on the list.

Mr. Krummel said that he was still puzzled about what kind of guidelines would be used. There was a discussion about the issues connected to this topic. Mr. Krummel said that the Committee should be concerned about the site planning for the building. He then gave an example of the construction of a fence around the property parcel. Mr. Lo said that the Council should draft a Master Plan for Fodor Farm.

Mr. Krummel said that he did not think that Recreation and Parks should manage it. He believes that the Historical Commission should manage it because they are historical buildings.

Mr. Krummel then stated that the Historic District Study Committee will be resubmitting their report. The State Historic Commission issued an opinion that the Study Committee will have to go through the process over again because they missed the deadline for filing with the Town Clerk. Mr. Krummel said that he was pleased that they were moving ahead on this project.

Mr. Lo said that there were also concerns about whether there were fuel tanks on the property. This issue will need be dealt with before the property can be sold. When asked where the tanks were located, Mr. Lo gave the locations and stated that one of the tanks had leaks. He also informed the Committee that one of the tanks was for gasoline and the others were for oil.

Mr. Krummel said that a Hazardous Material Assessment will be needed. There was a discussion about the details of this issue.

When asked if there was anything else to discuss, Mr. Poruban said that he would like to discuss having an ice rink in Norwalk. He then distributed a memo regarding an ice rink in Norwalk to the members of the Committee.

As a parent of a school hockey player, Mr. Poruban said that he had spent time driving his children to and from other communities to use their rinks.

Mr. Lo explained that the City had lost a lawsuit because they had used open space park land for offices and the police station. An ice skating rink would be a recreation use and Mr. Lo said that it might be considered acceptable use. Mr. Lo also said that there might be issues with architecture, but pointed out that the Children’s Museum was not historic in anyway. He did say that an ice rink would need to be respectful of the design and location of the Lockwood Mathews Mansion.

Mr. Krummel suggested that as part of the West Avenue Corridor project, Mr. Seligson is proposing an art cinema. Mr. Krummel said that he objects to that because there is already successful art cinema in existence. He then suggested a sports amphitheater. Mr. Poruban said that he had been to the Shelton sports complex and it was fantastic. Mr. Lo said that New Rochelle had also done this with good success. Mr. Krummel asked Mr. Poruban if the last paragraph could be changed to have Redevelopment consider this.
A discussion about this suggestion followed.

Mr. Poruban mentioned a number of other locations that could be used, including the old Norwalk Signal site. Mr. Lo mentioned some City owned property by the South Norwalk Train Station. He said that Mathews Park had been considered previously, but there was a significant amount of opposition to this. Mr. Krummel said that he would speak to Mr. Seligson about a sports complex in the West Avenue project.

ADJOURNMENT

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

The meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Sharon L. Soltes
Telesco Secretarial Services