MARCH 23, 2006

ATTENDANCE: Jeanette Olmstead-Sawyer, Chair; William Krummel;
Joanne Romano; Phyllis Bolden (8:00 p.m.);
Douglas Sutton (8:05 p.m.); Richard McQuaid (by phone)

STAFF: Linda Wilock; Dept. of Youth Services; Michael Dolhancryk; Director Emergency Management; Denis McCarthy, Fire Chief

CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order at 7:42 p.m. by the Chair.

MINUTES

The minutes from the last meeting were not available and therefore no action was taken under this item.

YOUTH SERVICE BUREAU GRANT PROGRAM FOR 2006-2007

Ms. Wilock said that she was here to ask for authorization for the Mayor to apply for the Youth Services Bureau Grant in the amount of $65,457.00. The grant would go toward the overall operation of the department. The department has been receiving the grant from the Department of Education since 1978.

Mr. Krummel pointed out that they did not have a quorum and that this request could only be discussed at this time.

Ms. Wilock said that she did not have a deadline date for this request, but it is due in late May or early June. Ms. Olmstead-Sawyer suggested meeting prior to the next Common Council meeting to vote on this item.

After further discussion, the sense of the Committee was to move this item to the full Common Council.

Ms. Olmstead-Sawyer called Mr. McQuaid and asked him to participate by telephone to reach a quorum.

At 7:50 p.m. there was a quorum, with Mr. McQuaid participating by telephone.

** MS. OLMSTEAD-SAWYER MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR, RICHARD A. MOCCIA, TO EXECUTE ANY AND ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY TO APPLY FOR AND ACCEPT GRANT FUNDS FROM THE CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION UNDER THE YOUTH SERVICE BUREAU GRANT PROGRAM FOR 2006-2007

AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR, RICHARD A. MOCCIA, TO EXECUTE ANY AND ALL AGREEMENTS, DOCUMENTS, INSTRUMENTS, AND AMENDMENTS THERETO AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT A YOUTH SERVICE BUREAU PROGRAM, PURSUANT TO SUCH GRANT FUNDING.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

BLUE RIBBON COMMISSION ON YOUTH SERVICES - Final Report

Ms. Wilock explained the background of the Commission and reviewed the printed report that she distributed to the Committee.

Ms. Wilock said that the Commission found that this is a cost effective service in Norwalk and found no compelling reason to make any changes.

Ms. Bolden arrived at 8:00 p.m.

Ms. Wilock said that the Commission found that the relationship between the schools and Youth Services is strong. They recommended that to better meet the needs of the youth, they would need to strengthen the Advisory Board.

Mr. Sutton arrived at 8:05 p.m.

Ms. Wilock distributed a written description of the Advisory Board. She said that they meet quarterly, as mandated by the State of Connecticut.

Mr. Krummel requested reports at every meeting on the progress and activities of the Advisory Board.

** MS. OLMSTEAD-SAWYER MOVED TO ACCEPT THE REPORT OF THE BLUE RIBBON COMMISSION ON YOUTH SERVICES
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

FIRE DEPARTMENT

Chief McCarthy said that the department is requesting permission to use a sole source provider to purchase a Hurst Tool (Jaws of Life). Mr. Dolhancryk explained that during an emergency it is critical that there is continuity in the equipment. Different manufacturers of this equipment should not be mixed because it is essential to know how each tool works and how to use it.

** MS. OLMSTEAD-SAWYER MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE PURCHASING AGENT TO ISSUE A SOLE SOURCE PURCHASE ORDER TO FIREMATIC SUPPLY, INC., ROCKY HILL, CONNECTICUT, TO PURCHASE A HURST TOOL ("JAWS OF LIFE") AND ACCESSORIES FOR A SUM NOT TO EXCEED $30,000. THIS EQUIPMENT IS SOLE SOURCED TO MAINTAIN CRITICAL EQUIPMENT AND TRAINING CONTINUITY. ACCOUNT NO. 090631105777C0341
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

ENTRY LEVEL TESTING CONTRACT

Mr. Dolhancryk said that it was important to have Jacques Personnel administer the written and oral part of the test. It is in the City's best interest to have a single provider. In addition, the City has had satisfactory experiences with them in the past and other cities have been happy with the services they provide.

The Committee discussed was to recruit minorities and females. He said that the City hired its first African-American firefighter in 1959.

Chief McCarthy said that currently there are no openings in the Fire Department. The Finance Department has requested that they keep those positions open over the shifts using overtime.

Ms. Romano suggested holding a career day at the Fire Department.

** MS. OLMSTEAD-SAWYER MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR, RICHARD A. MOCCIA, TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH JACQUES PERSONNEL TO ADMINISTER ENTRY LEVEL TESTING
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

Ms. Olmstead-Sawyer said that Norwalk should have a civilian response team. She also said that she was very concerned about the Avian Flu. She said that there are a lot of people who have no means of transportation if they need to reach emergency services.

Ms. Bolden said that she did not feel it was right to provide buses to bring South Norwalk residents to Norwalk High School in the event of an emergency. She said that there are several places in South Norwalk that can set up clinics in the event of a disaster and that there are a lot of health professionals in South Norwalk who could assist during a disaster.

Mr. Dolhancryk said that Ms. Bolden had an excellent point, but in a pandemic we will have to work with 40% of the people only. He added that Norwalk High School has a generator and showers.

Mr. Dolhancryk said that they are working on an evacuation program. Their hope is to keep people in one place and provide support at that location.

Chief McCarthy said that in order to give everyone an opportunity to receive a pharmaceutical, they can't have multiple sites because the demand for public service will be so great. He added that it is unrealistic to think the City can divide their limited resources during an emergency. They can only provide the necessary services by having a single point of distribution.

Ms. Olmstead-Sawyer said that she would like to devote one meeting to this discussion. Mr. Dolhancryk said that the Committee needs to understand the resources and why certain decisions must be made. He said that the inoculation program could be damaged if the Committee does not understand and support why decisions have been made.

There was no further business and the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 9:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Rosemarie Lombardi
Telesco Secretarial Services

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