ATTENDANCE: Judith Rivas, Chair; Barbara Hudgins; Peter Wien

STAFF: Tim Callahan

Ms. Rivas called the meeting to order at 7.40pm. She stated there were not enough members present to make up a quorum. As there were time sensitive issues on the agenda, they would still hear the reports from Mr. Callahan so they could be forwarded to the Common Council for approval.

Ms. Rivas stated although it was not on the agenda, Ms. Anderson would give a presentation on the City Scan project. Ms. Anderson gave a presentation about City Scan that outlined the following. It is a project that gets the citizens of a city involved with government that enables them to monitor issues around the city using the latest technology. She said members of the public monitor issues such a broken park bench, zoning violations etc and they log this information into a hand-held computer, this is the scanning process. A report and map is then created and the residents can use them to follow-up on local official’s promises to remedy the conditions noted.

Ms. Anderson showed some photographs as part of the presentation of a scan that had already taken place in Norwalk showing some before and after pictures.

Mr. Callahan stated that they he would go through five grant contracts but they would be in a different order than listed on the agenda; he noted that all back-up material was included in the packet provided.

HEALTH DEPARTMENT

CASE MANAGER FOR THE ELDERLY PROGRAM

Mr. Callahan stated that the Department of Health received a one-year grant from the Southwestern Connecticut Area Agency on Aging in the amount of $32,000 for the Community Case Manager for the Elderly Program for the period October 1, 2002 to September 2, 2003.

Mr. Callahan read the following motions that would be sent to the Common Council:

Mr. Callahan read the written back-up material.

Mr. Wien asked what the caseworkers’ workload was like. Mr. Callahan replied that they were extremely busy. Mr. Wien suggested adding another person to the staff in the future. Mr. Callahan said that the caseworkers try to maintain a short-term relationship with the patients, by ascertaining their needs and then linking them to the necessary services.

HEALTH DEPARTMENT

HIV/AIDS PROGRAM GRANT

Mr. Callahan stated that the Department of Health receive a one-year grant in the amount $164,666 for the prevention of HIV/AIDS. This is for the period of July 1, 2002 to June 30, 2003. Mr. Callahan stated that the amount was less this year than in other years. Mr. Callahan handed out a sheet entitled HIV/AIDS Program that gave a break down of what the programs had included in 01/02 and in 02/03. He read the following motions.

1. Authorize the Mayor, Alex A. Knopp, to execute any and all documents necessary to apply for and accept $164,666 in grant funds from the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health for the HIV/AIDS Prevention Program for the period July 1, 2002 to June 30, 2003.
2. Authorize the Mayor, Alex. A. Knopp, to execute any and all agreements, documents, instruments or amendments as may be necessary to implement the HIV/AIDS Prevention Program for the period July 1, 2002 to June 20, 2003.

Mr. Wien asked what the number of people effected with HIV/AIDS was in Norwalk. Mr. Callahan stated that he did not know the exact number, but the number had actually gone down. He said this was one of the reasons why their funding was smaller this year. Mr. Wien asked if any groups had higher levels. Mr. Callahan stated that it was higher in female, minority populations. He said he was concerned with testing pre-natal women and this was available at the Health Center.

HEALTH DEPARTMENT

SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASE PROGRAM GRANT

Mr. Callahan stated that the Department of Health received a two-year grant in the amount of $32,380. He read the following motions.

1. Authorize the Mayor, Alex A. Knopp, to execute any and all documents necessary to apply for and accept $32,580 in grant funds from the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health for the Sexually Transmitted Disease Control Program for the period July 1, 2002 to June 30, 2003.
2. Authorize the Mayor, Alex. A. Knopp, to execute any and all agreements,

Mr. Callahan said the STD program provides a variety of services to reduce the transmission and incidence of selected STD’s. He stated they have a walk in clinic and stated that it stayed open until 6pm.

Mr. Wien asked why they did not stay open later than 6pm. Mr. Callahan said that people come in the afternoon, on their way home from work and their busiest time is from 4.30pm to 6.15pm.

HEALTH DEPARTMENT

BIOTERRORISM PLANNING GRANT

Mr. Callahan stated that the Department of Health received a one-year grant of approximately $20,728 for the preparation of a bioterrorism response plan for a one-year period that will commence on the signing the agreement. He read the following.

1. Authorize the Mayor, Alex A. Knopp, to execute any and all documents necessary to apply for and accept at least $20,728 in grant funds from the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health and or the Connecticut Association of Directors of Health for an Emergency Response Development Project for a one-year period commencing on signing of an agreement.

Mr. Callahan stated that are four components of the project. He said, first, using a standardized tool, the capacity of the local health department to respond to an emergency will be evaluation. Mr. Callahan stated that the tool they will use is the Norwalk Centers for Disease Control; it will be used across the country. Secondly, Mr. Callahan stated, once the assessment is conduced they will develop a local emergency response plan. Third the local health department will participate in the development of a regional emergency response plan. Lastly, Mr. Callahan the local health department will receive the training needed to become competent and ready to act in a real situation.

Ms. Rivas asked if the Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Committee have to be aware of this. Mr. Callahan said they should be made aware of it, but this goes through the Health Department.

HEALTH DEPARTMENT

UNINTENTIONAL INJURY GRANT

Mr. Callahan stated that this grant was not listed on the agenda. He stated that the Department of Health received a one-year grant in the amount of $15,198 for the Unintentional Injury Prevention Program. For the period July 1, 2002 to June 30, 2003.

1. Authorize the Mayor, Alex A. Knopp, to execute any and all documents necessary to apply for and accept $15,198 in grant funds from the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health for the Unintentional Injury Prevention Program for the period July 1, 2002 to June 30, 2003.

Mr. Callahan stated that this project is targeted to older adults and there are three components, fall injury prevention, medication, safety and exercise program.

Ms. Rivas recommended that all contracts be forwarded to the Common Council for their approval.

REPORTS/DISCUSSION

A. Multicultural Health Forum

Ms. Rivas stated that this event took place in August and she said she was very impressed state initiative to really target the minority community and find out what their issues are.

Mr. Callahan said there were six events like this, statewide and the turn out event at Norwalk here drew the largest crowd. He said there was an interest in Norwalk in the way they built their community health center and the system they have in place.

B. Healthy Families Initiative

Ms. Rivas stated that they would table this discussion until the next meeting, as there was not a quorum.

C. Health Dept Strategic Plan

It was also decided to table this item until the next meeting.

OLD BUSINESS

Ms. Rivas said the old business would be the situation with Hatch and Bailey; she said she had sent a letter to the residents of South Main Street that included the issues they would be focusing on. She asked them to review and to make sure they were on the same page. Ms. Rivas stated she asked Ms. Hudgins to put this on a timetable. Ms. Hudgins said she had made up a chart to see the problem, when it is done etc. Ms. Rivas asked that when people speak to keep to a reasonable time.

Mr. Callahan stated that he had spoken with a manager at Hatch and Bailey and he informed him that they had installed a sprinkler system, on a timer that would go on five times a day and be regulated up to 25 minutes for seven days a week. On August 17, 2002 they had a sweeper come in to sweep the yards. They are getting in the process of getting quotes for a fence.

Mr. Callahan stated they have continued to have the inspectors go out to check dust, but they have not seen a violation yet. He handed out a list of the inspector’s findings.

Ms. Rivas asked Mrs. Paulk her opinion on the list sent out. Mrs. Paulk stated that she had reviewed it, elaborated on the points and added some additional ones. Ms. Paulk gave a copy of the new list to Ms. Rivas. Mr. Callahan copied it and issued one to each member. Ms. Rivas stated that she would combine the two lists and at the next meeting they would use the master list. Ms. Rivas read the points included on the list.

Mr. Wien stated that he did not fully understand the connotations of point VII. Conflict of Interest.

Ms. Paulk said if a conflict exists between a Common Council member who may have a connection with Hatch and Bailey would that person recuse himself or herself from discussion.

Ms. Lauricella said they thought that two members of the Common Council might have conflicts of interest and wanted to correctly address the matter before they named names.

Mr. Wien stated that if they had a problem then they should consult with a member of the Committee and they would approach the people concerned.

There was some discussion on this by all present.

Ms. Rivas stated that they should all read and review the list and the next meeting would be September 17, 2002.

Ms. Lauricella asked if there could be some interim meetings between the residents and city officials to discuss matters so some of the kinks would be worked out before the next meeting. Ms. Lauricella also said that they would discuss the matter of the conflict of interest with Ms. Rivas at a later date. Ms. Rivas said they would need to select a spokesperson in order to do this. Mrs. Paulk said she would be the spokesperson. Mr. Callahan said he would send the wish list to Hatch and Bailey and let them look at it and to see what their response is.

The meeting was adjourned at 9.30pm.

Respectfully submitted

Kate Kye

Telesco Secretarial Services

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