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LAND USE & BUILDING
MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES |
For minutes
of meetings not listed below please contact Alan Lo
at 203-854-6790 or email at alo@norwalkct.org
CITY OF NORWALK
LAND USE AND BUILDING MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
REGULAR MEETING
DECEMBER 20, 2007
ATTENDANCE: Douglas Hempstead, Chairman; William Krummel,
Richard Bonenfant, Laurel Lindstrom, Douglas Sutton,
Michael Geake
STAFF: Alan Lo, Buildings and Facility Manager
OTHERS: Ralph Valenzisi, Board of Education, Diane
Lauricella, League of Women Voters, Jackie
Lightfield
ROLL CALL
Mr. Hempstead called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
OLD BUSINESS
Mr. Geake said that he had visited a first grade class at Brookside to see the smart boards and that he was impressed with the proficiency that the first graders demonstrated with the smart board. Mr. Valenzisi reviewed the details of the white board’s functioning.
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING(S) -
November 29, 2007
** MR. SUTTON MOVED THE MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 29, 2007.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
Mr. Lo said that he reviews the minutes in order to check the dollar amounts and verify the accuracy of the minutes. This was acceptable to the Commission.
Board of Education (Items tabled from November 29, 2007)
** MR. GEAKE MOVED THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:
24 Tablet PCs and docking stations – “Authorize the Purchasing Agent to issue a Purchase Order to Advance Corporate Networking for the purchase of 24 Tablet PCs and docking stations for the high schools science departments for a total not to exceed $37,130.40. Acct. #09085010 5777 C0112”
24 Monitors – “Authorize the Purchasing Agent to issue a Purchase Order to CDW Government, Inc. for the purchase of 24 monitors for a total not to exceed $4,925.18. Acct. #09085010 5777 C0112”
Multimedia Projectors – “Authorize the Purchasing Agent to issue a Purchase Order to Adtech Systems for the purchase of 9 multimedia projectors for a total not to exceed $7,191.00. Acct. #09085010 5777 C0112”
DVD Players – “Authorize the Purchasing Agent to issue a Purchase Order to Concord Communications for the purchase of 25 DVD players for a total not to exceed $1,422.00. Acct. #09085010 5777 C0112”
Mr. Bonenfant asked about price comparison. Mr. Valenzisi reviewed the various details of the pricing procedure he had followed.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
Printers – “Authorize the Purchasing Agent to issue a Purchase Order to Aztec Technologies for the purchase of 7 HP printers for a total not to exceed $1,743.00. Acct. #09085010 5777 C0112”
** MS. LINDSTROM MOVED THE ITEM.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
Carts – “Authorize the Purchasing Agent to issue a Purchase Order to Concord
Communications for the purchase of 25 metal carts for a total not to exceed
$1,980.34. Acct. #09085010 5777 C0112”
** MS. LINDSTROM MOVED THE ITEM.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
Wireless Laptop Cart – “Authorize the Purchasing Agent to issue a Purchase Order to Dell for the purchase 10 wireless laptop carts for a total not to exceed $15,146.09. Acct. #09085010 5777 C0112”
** MR. BONENFANT MOVED THE ITEM.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
Mr. Lo asked if the same back up material should be submitted to the Council members. The sense of the Committee was that the Council should get the full packet.
NEW BUSINESS
Board of Education
Review architectural design proposals for the reconstruction of the Andrews Field restroom/storage facility and band storage building and refer the following t o the Common Council for approval:
“Authorize the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia, to execute an agreement with (firm to be determined) for architectural design services for the Andrews Field Restroom/Athletic Storage and Band Storage Facilities for a total not to exceed (amount to be determined). Acct. (# to be determined).”
** MS. LINDSTROM MOVED THE ITEM.
Mr. Lo then reviewed the situation that resulted from the fire at Andrews Field. The insurance company is close to issuing a settlement. Mr. Lo reported that he had been in a meeting with the Mayor, and Mr. Hamilton, it was decided that Mr. Lo would manage the rebuilding project. It has been noticed that the basic footprint of the building never settled. There was a request to build separate band buildings. Rather than build new bathrooms and run new sewer lines, it has been recommended that the building remain on its previous site. Mr. Lo said that his goal was to get the basic building constructed and then use whatever funding is left over towards the second building. Mr. Lo said that the reconstructed building would not be wood. He also informed the Committee that the new band building would be located where the construction containers from Norwalk High School are located.
Mr. Hempstead asked if the buildings could be made as green as possible. Mr. Lo said that he was not even sure that there would be windows in the building. Ms. Lindstrom said that there were two issues, green technology and aesthetics. Mr. Lo said that there were security concerns. Mr. Lo said that the concession stands at Brien McMahon had been concrete block, but this particular location would require lightweight blocks. It would have to be a combination of durability and lightweight materials.
Ms. Lindstrom said that she had spoken with the neighbors about other issues and anything that could be done to make the building look less utilitarian and more park like would be helpful.
Mr. Krummel asked what would happen if the slab would not support the type of building that was being proposed. Mr. Lo said that this issue had come up with the architects also, and reminded everyone that this building was about the size of a garage. He said that he was not positive that now was the time for action by the Committee. Mr. Hempstead agreed. Mr. Lo then reviewed the process with the Committee.
** MR. KRUMMEL MOVED TO TABLE THIS ITEM TO THE NEXT MEETING.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
FODOR FARM
Schedule Public Hearing regarding the Disposition of the two houses on Fodor Farm and refer the proposed disposition to the Planning Commission for Section 8-24 Review.
Review updated Lot Line Revision Map.
Review project schedule.
Mr. Lo said that he met with Mr. Foley and a Committee would need to be set up to review the various proposals. He then reviewed the project process. Mr. Hempstead said that it might be important to have someone from the Planning Committee. Mr. Krummel said that the people that were most familiar with the project were the Historic District group. Mr. Bonenfant said that at the Recreation and Parks meeting, a number of people had expressed hopes for a community garden.
Mr. Lo then displayed a plot map and the Committee discussed the potential use of the property. Mr. Lo explained that there had been six lots on the property. He said rather than dissolve the lots, he would prefer that the lots remain, which would allow the City to reconfigurethe lots as needed when the plans were completed.
Mr. Lo said that he would like to set a public hearing for the disposition of the two parcels for January 17, 2008. The Commission agreed to have the public hearing at 7:00 p.m. with the regular committee meeting to follow.
Mr. Krummel said that he had some concerns about deed restrictions. Mr. Lo said that the Corporation Counsel’s Office had issued a version of the deed restriction. Mr. Lo said that he had provided the new members with copies of this document. Additional copies of the deed restriction would be provided for the Committee members. Mr. Krummel asked if the deed restrictions would be part of the public hearing. Mr. Lo said that he did not believe that the deed restrictions would be part of the hearing. A discussion then followed about the details of this process.
** MR. KRUMMEL MOVED TO SCHEDULE A PUBLIC HEARING ON JANUARY 17TH AT 7:00 P.M.
REGARDING THE DISPOSITION OF THE TWO HOUSES ON FODOR FARM AND REFER THE PROPOSED
DISPOSITION TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION FOR SECTION 8-24 REVIEW.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
SURPLUS PROPERTY – 8 HAMILTON AVENUE
Schedule a Public Hearing on the disposition of 8 Hamilton Avenue.
Mr. Lo reviewed the details of this proposal. Mr. Lo said that by selling it to the abuttor, the purchaser might put a garage on the plot or possibly a driveway.
** MS. LINDSTROM MOVED TO SCHEDULE A PUBLIC HEARING ON JANUARY 17TH AT 7:00 P.M. REGARDING THE DISPOSITION OF 8 HAMILTON AVENUE.
MISCELLANEOUS/DISCUSSION ITEMS
General Information and status update on the following items:
Norwalk Historical Commission – Norwalk Museum – operating agreement with Friends of the Norwalk Museums
Mr. Lo said that he had not heard back from the Law Department about this. Mr. Hempstead said that he wanted something from the Law Department about this or the Committee would move ahead on this issue.
Mr. Hempstead then distributed a copy of an email from Ms. Tylo regarding the locking of the bathroom doors at the Norwalk Museum and the locking of the handicap rear door.
Mr. Lo said that he had read the email and needed to understand the issues. Ms. Lindstrom said that there needed to be some inquiry about the circumstances of this issue.
Mr. Hempstead said that he wanted some feedback about this issue. Ms. Lindstrom said that the Committee would need to be careful not to overstep their authority on this issue.
Mr. Lo said that he did not know what the issue was at the Museum, but there have been problems with the use of public bathrooms in the Norwalk Library and City Hall.
Ms. Lightfield said that she had been at the Historical Commission meeting and that Ms. Letournier had written a letter in 2005 about the door being open. She said that she had written about it on the blog on the previous day.
Mr. Hempstead said that he felt that the City website for the Committee to invite the public to participate.
Ms. Lauricella said that while she was pleased that the Committee would allow the public, but that the League of Women Voters would like to comment that the agendas for the meetings and often were not on the website or only posted 24 hours before the meeting.
She then distributed a copy of a document that was about green options for the City. Ms. Lauricella said that there were some grants available for energy options for the schools. Ms. Lauricella said that often the building committees say that the project is too far along to include the LEEDS guidelines.
Ms. Lindstrom pointed out that in the last set of minutes, the Committee had determined that they would like to have someone speak about green technology. Mr. Hempstead said that he was hoping to get Northeast Utilities to come in and talk about this.
ADJOURNMENT
** MS. LINDSTROM MOVED TO ADJOURN
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
The meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon L. Soltes
Telesco Secretarial Service
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