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Committee Actions |
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Click Here for Public Works Actions January 4, 2005 |
FEBRUARY 1, 2005
ATTENDANCE: Kevin Poruban, Chair; Douglas Hempstead; Fred Bondi;
Bruce Kimmel; Bill Krummel
STAFF: Hal Alvord, Director, DPW; Lisa Bardon, Operations Manager; Richard Linnartz, Principal Engineer
TOUR OF PUBLIC WORKS CENTER
Meet in downstairs break room at Public Works Garage, Tour through Public Works Center
Following the tour, Mr. Poruban called the meeting to order at 8:10 p.m.
APPROVALS/AUTHORIZATIONS
Approve the Minutes from the Public Works Committee dated Tuesday, January 4, 2005
** MR. BONDI MOVED TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES AS SUBMITTED
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
SUSPEND THE RULES TO ADD AN ITEM TO THE AGENDA
** MR. PORUBAN MOVED TO SUSPEND THE RULES TO ADD A DISCUSSION ITEM – DRAINAGE
ISSUE ON SCRIBNER AVENUE
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
A resident living near the corner of Scribner Avenue and Flax Hill came before the Committee to present the drainage problems on her property. She presented photographs of the property that were taking after it rained.
At the suggestion of the Committee, she said came before them in December, she got an estimate from Grumman Engineering to look at the area because they can not live like that. The estimate was for $23,364. She said that she was begging the Committee to help her out in any way they can. She distributed a copy of the estimate and said that there have been times that the water was so deep they could not keep their cars in the driveway. Every time it rains, she said that she has to go outside with a pump and a hose. Ever since her neighbor re-paved their driveway and Scribner Avenue was re-paved the flooding has gotten significantly worse.
Mr. Linnartz said that the property was a bowl and the water drains into it. Mr. Hempstead asked if the homeowner was willing to participate in some of the expenses and to what level. She said that she was willing to participate, but was not sure what she should ask for.
Mr. Linnartz explained the following items.
** MR. KIMMEL MOVED TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING ITEMS
AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR, ALEX A. KNOPP TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT AND ANY AND ALL DOCUMENTS, BETWEEN THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT AND THE CITY OF NORWALK FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF CONTRACT PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS AND ESTIMATES IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE REHABILITATION OF PERRY AVENUE BRIDGE (BRIDGE NO. 04154) OVER THE NORWALK RIVER UTILIZING FEDERAL FUNDS, FOR THE STATE PROJECT NUMBER 102-H067
AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR, ALEX A. KNOPP, TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT, AND ANY AND ALL DOCUMENTS, BETWEEN THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT AND THE CITY OF NORWALK FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF CONTRACT PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS AND ESTIMATES IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE REHABILITATION OF THE WESTMERE AVENUE BRIDGE (BRIDGE NO. 04440) OVER THE FARM CREEK UTILIZING FEDERAL FUNDS, STATE PROJECT NUMBER 102-H068
AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR, ALEX A. KNOPP, TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT, AND ANY AND ALL DOCUMENTS BETWEEN THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT AND THE CITY OF NORWALK FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF CONTRACT PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS AND ESTIMATES IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE REHABILITATION OF THE JAMES STREET BRIDGE (BRIDGE NO. 04989) OVER THE SILVERMINE RIVER UTILIZING FEDERAL FUNDS, STATE PROJECT NUMBER 102-H069
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
DISCUSSION
Engineering Division Report
Wall Street Bridge Repair and Rehabilitation
Mr. Linnartz reviewed this item and said that a letter was in everyone’s packet. This is a State funded project. They are looking at a yet to be decided railing system. He presented photographs of different types of railings and said that they can be any color. The main work on the All Street Bridge will take place under the bridge.
Mr. Hempstead asked if they would be able to get the same kind of treatment that Westport got. Mr. Linnartz said that the bridge will be wired for lighting. There are options that they can do. He said that he believes the original bridge had concrete rails, but that would restrict the view of the River.
Mr. Linnartz said that they are waiting to hear back from the State for their approval of the plans and then they will hold a public information session for the public to see the plans. Mr. Hempstead noted that Dewberry does work for Stew Leonard’s.
Use of City of Norwalk property for the State of Connecticut MTA Catenary Railroad Project for a construction laydown area.
Mr. Linnartz distributed the plans and said that Ducci Electrical contractors are requesting to use an area near Science Road as a staging area for their materials during their construction project. Mr. Hempstead asked if they could put up a more esthetically pleasing fence during construction. Mr. Linnartz said that the intent is to ask the State to use that site as a parking area.
** MR. BONDI MOVED TO APPROVE THE USE OF CITY OF NORWALK PROPERTY BY DUCCI
ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS FOR THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT MTA CATENARY RAILROAD PROJECT
FOR A CONSTRUCTION LAYDOWN AREA
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
Update on renaming of Styles Lane
Mr. Linnartz reported that after this Committee approved the name change, it will go before Planning and Zoning. Once they will hear this item this month, it will then go before the full Common Council for approval.
Update on patch contract.
Mr. Alvord said that there was a letter in everyone’s packet from Mr. Troy saying that he would honor their bid for the northern and southern section of permanent patches.
Operations Division Report
Snow Removal Operations
Ms. Bardon reported that they had 25 calls during the blizzard. Some of those calls were repeat calls and not all of the calls were complaints. Last Friday they held an after action analysis after the storm. They will meet with Mr. Alvord and Deputy Chief Palmer to go over ticketing and towing procedures. Ms. Bardon said that they will be introducing a number of initiatives following the analysis meeting.
The Committee held a discussion about the problems with the telephone system.
Mr. Kimmel noted that he had received no complaints about the snow removal.
The Committee discussed complaints about footpaths not being cleared of snow. Mr. Alvord said that he told the Mayor that there is no specific ordinance on footpaths. He added that they will meet to draft an ordinance to fit the footpaths.
Fuel Pumps
Ms. Bardon reported that the two – 8,000 gallon fuel pumps are currently out of service. They are on a temporary 4,000 gallon tank and have to get weekly and sometimes twice weekly fill ups. The manufacturer is coming out on Thursday.
Special Waste Collection Center
Ms. Bardon distributed draft site plans for a special waste collection center. She said that currently, the City does not have a place that takes appliances with Freon and propane. Ms. Bardon said that she and Mr. Alvord have been discussing what they could do to reduce the bulky trash that turns up on the streets. This would give the residents a legal place to drop off propane and Freon appliances.
It is estimated that it would cost $150,000 to create the special waste collection
center.
Mr. Bondi suggested applying for a grant. Mr. Hempstead suggested increasing
tipping fees by a miniscule amount.
Mr. Alvord said that he would bring this item back to the Committee for further review.
Budget Update
Status of Operating Budget Development for FY 05-06
Mr. Alvord said that he will go before the Board of Estimate and Taxation on February 22, 2005 at 7:30 p.m.
Status of Capital Budget Development for FY 05-06
Mr. Alvord said that he made a presentation to the Planning Commission last week.
Mr. Alvord reviewed and the Committee discussed the DPW budget requests.
OTHER
Action on any item discussed herein
Fee Schedule
Mr. Alvord said that the Committee could send a recommended fee schedule to the full Common Council.
** MR. BONDI MOVED TO ADJOURN
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Rosemarie Lombardi
Telesco Secretarial Services
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