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| Public Works
Committee Actions |
JULY 5, 2005
ATTENDANCE: Kevin Poruban, Chair; (7:45 p.m.); Fred Bondi; Douglas Hempstead; Bruce Kimmel; William Krummel
STAFF: Hal Alvord, Director; Richard Linnartz, Principal Engineer; Lisa Bardon, Operations Manager; Brian Sweeney, Structural Engineer
Mr. Bondi called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m.
PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING: REHABILITATION OF THE WALL STREED BRIDGE OVER THE NORWALK RIVER
Mr. Linnartz explained that the rehabilitation of the Wall Street Bridge is being funded in part by the City, the State and DEC. The City has retained Dewberry Associates to create the design.
Mr. Sweeney said that the bridge was constructed in 1922. It was built out of stone and the arch was made of concrete. The bridge was able to withstand the flood of 1955.
Dewberry looked at three different options for the bridge, and chose to do general repairs to the structure, which will extend the life of the bridge by 20 years. The stone section of the bridge is in the best condition, but the concrete section is in the worst condition. The existing railing does not meet with the present codes, therefore, new railing will be installed.
Mr. Poruban arrived at 7:45 p.m.
Mr. Alvord said that there is some confusion regarding the funding for the lights and the flags that were recently installed on the bridge. They were funded by the Redevelopment Agency.
Mr. Sweeney explained that a lot of work will be done under the bridge. Mr. Krummel asked if the project has been coordinated with the Redevelopment Agency. Mr. Linnartz said that the plans for the proposed railing was sent to them eight months ago, but he has not heard from them. He will again, provide them with the plans.
Mr. Krummel said that there has been a lot of conversation among other commissions about opening up the waterfront in that area. He asked if a walkway could be placed under the bridge. Mr. Alvord said that could not be done.
Mr. Stephen Keogh said that two gardens were planted in 2003 on either side of the bridge. One said has been taken care of, but the other has not. He also spoke about debris removal from that area. He pointed out that there is a piece of concrete curb in the river.
Mr. Hempstead expressed concern about increased traffic on the bridge. Mr. Linnartz said that because it is an arch bridge, loading is not an issue. It will virtually last forever.
Mr. Hempstead asked if there will be ornamental lighting on the bridge. Mr. Linnartz said that there is no ornamental lighting in that section of town, therefore, they are not proposing any for the bridge. The work should take about eight months to complete.
Mr. Sweeney said that the design is about 60% completed and should be ready in three – four months.
Mr. Krummel asked if the Burnell Blvd. Bridge will be repaired. Mr. Linnartz explained that is a state bridge, and all of the state funding is going for improvements to the Q Bridge in New Haven. There will be no staging on the street or in Freeze Park.
Mr. Poruban took over the meeting.
APPROVALS/AUTHORIZATIONS
APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM THE PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE DATED TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 2005
** MR. BONDI MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES
The following corrections were made to the minutes:
Page 4: under Soundkeeper, 175 storm drains should be 275
Page 5: under Sterling Snow Plows, first sentence should read Five plows. Last sentence should read: Last year’s RFP is still usable, so no re-bidding is necessary.
Under Maintenance & Fuel Management, last sentence should read: At that time, the Police Department will also be budgeted for vehicle maintenance.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES AS CORRECTED
AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR, ALEX A. KNOPP, TO EXECUTE A SUBORDINATION AGREEMENT WITH 25 SOUTH SMITH STREET, LLC, FOR A DRAINAGE EASEMENT ON 25 SOUTH SMITH STREET
Mr. Michael Nayor represented 25 South Smith Street and asked permission to address the Committee.
Mr. Nayor explained that in 1970 Cal Can Development granted an easement to the City. He presented site plans describing the areas of restriction. The site is a parking lot.
** MR. HEMPSTEAD MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR, ALEX A. KNOPP, TO EXECUTE A
SUBORDINATION AGREEMENT WITH 25 SOUTH SMITH STREET, LLC, FOR A DRAINAGE EASEMENT
ON 25 SOUTH SMITH STREET
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR, ALEX A. KNOPP, TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE LOWEST
RESPONSIBLE BIDDER FOR PROJECT NO. 4R 2005-2, PROPOSED BITUMINOUS CONCRETE PERMANENT
PAVEMENT REPAIR WITHIN THE NORTHERN SECTION, FOR A SUM NOT TO EXCEED $ _____.
AUTHORIZE THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS TO ISSUE ORDERS ON CONTRACT TO THE LOWEST RESPONSIBLE BIDDER FOR PROJECT NO. 2005-2, PROPOSED BITUMINOUS CONCRETE PERMANENT PAVEMENT REPAIR WITHIN THE NORTHERN SECTION, FOR A SUM NOT TO EXCEED $_____
ACCOUNT NO. 03 0000 2602 (BID OPENING JULY 5, 2005)
Mr. Linnartz distributed the bid results. Mr. Hempstead asked if New England Paving was aware of all of the conditions. Mr. Linnartz said that they were.
** MR. BONDI MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR, ALEX A. KNOPP, TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH NEW ENGLAND PAVING FOR PROJECT NO. 4R 2005-2, PROPOSED BITUMINOUS CONCRETE PERMANENT PAVEMENT REPAIR WITHIN THE NORTHERN SECTION, FOR A SUM NOT TO EXCEED $ 126,720. AND TO
AUTHORIZE THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS TO ISSUE ORDERS ON CONTRACT TO NEW ENGLAND PAVING FOR PROJECT NO. 2005-2, PROPOSED BITUMINOUS CONCRETE PERMANENT PAVEMENT REPAIR WITHIN THE NORTHERN SECTION, FOR A SUM NOT TO EXCEED $12,672.00
ACCOUNT NO. 03 0000 2602 (BID OPENING JULY 5, 2005)
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR, ALEX A. KNOPP, TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE LOWEST RESPONSIBLE BIDDER FOR PROJECT NO. 2005-3, PROPOSED BITUMINOUS CONCRETE PERMANENT PAVEMENT REPAIR WITHIN THE SOUTHERN SECTION FOR A SUM NOT TO EXCEED $_____
AUTHORIZE THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS TO SSUE ORDERS ON CONTRACT TO THE LOWEST RESPONSIBLE BIDDER FOR PROJECT NO. 4R 2005-3, PROPOSED BITUMINOUS CONCRETE PERMANENT PAVEMENT REPAIR WITHIN THE SOUTHERN SECTION, FOR A SUM NOT TO EXCEED $12,672.00
ACCOUNT NO. 03 0000 2602 (BID OPENING JULY 5, 2005)
** MR. BONDI MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR, ALEX A. KNOPP, TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH NEW ENGLAND PAVING FOR PROJECT NO. 4R 2005-2, PROPOSED BITUMINOUS CONCRETE PERMANENT PAVEMENT REPAIR WITHIN THE NORTHERN SECTION, FOR A SUM NOT TO EXCEED $ 126,720. AND TO
AUTHORIZE THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS TO ISSUE ORDERS ON CONTRACT TO NEW ENGLAND PAVING FOR PROJECT NO. 2005-2, PROPOSED BITUMINOUS CONCRETE PERMANENT PAVEMENT REPAIR WITHIN THE NORTHERN SECTION, FOR A SUM NOT TO EXCEED $12,672.00
ACCOUNT NO. 03 0000 2602 (BID OPENING JULY 5, 2005)
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
** MR. BONDI MOVED TO SUPSEND THE RULES TO ADD AN ITEM TO THE AGENDA
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR, ALEX A. KNOPP, TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH FGB CONSTRUCTION FOR PROJECT NO. 4R2005-1, PAVEMENT MANAGEMENT PROGRAM, FOR A SUM NOT TO EXCEED $1,966,205.00
ACCOUNT NO. 09 064021 5777 C0283
AUTHORIZE THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS TO ISSUE ORDERS ON CONTRACT TO THE FGB CONSTRUCTION COMPANY FOR PROJECT NO. 4R 2005-1, PAVEMENT MANAGEMENT PROGRAM, FOR A SUM NOT TO EXCEED $196,620
** MR. BONDI MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR, ALEX A. KNOPP, TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH FGB CONSTRUCTION FOR PROJECT NO. 4R2005-1, PAVEMENT MANAGEMENT PROGRAM, FOR A SUM NOT TO EXCEED $1,966,205.00
ACCOUNT NO. 09 064021 5777 C0283
AUTHORIZE THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS TO ISSUE ORDERS ON CONTRACT TO THE FGB CONSTRUCTION COMPANY FOR PROJECT NO. 4R 2005-1, PAVEMENT MANAGEMENT PROGRAM, FOR A SUM NOT TO EXCEED $196,620
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
DISCUSSION
SPECIAL WASTE COLLECTION FACILITY – UPDATE
Mr. Alvord said that he needs Common Council approval for a capital approval for the Special Waste Collection facility.
Mr. Alvord explained that the collection facility will accept items that are not accepted at the transfer station. Ms. Bardon said that currently they charge a nominal fee to dispose of certain items. They do not want to make that disposal cost prohibitive, or people will leave those items on the street. Mr. Alvord said that they plan to use the additional fees to supplement other pro-environmental programs.
Mr. Alvord presented concept diagrams of the proposed collection facility.
ENGINEERING DIVISION REPORT
PERSONNEL
INTERNS
Mr. Linnartz said that they have five interns and a temporary worker. They are working out very well. The interns are from various colleges. Mr. Alvord said that they had three interns last year and they were a tremendous help.
TRAFFIC MAINTAINER II
This position has been posted in various locations. They have had 10 responses; the furthest being from Utah.
Mr. Bondi noted that there is a problem with the coordination of the traffic lights on East Avenue. Cars back up to Rite Aid. Mr. Alvord said that he would like to install a video detector for the left turn land onto I-95.
JUNIOR ENGINEERS
Interviews were held with three – four candidates and offers were made to two of those candidates.
PROJECT UPDATES
Mr. Linnartz said that the Bridge Selection Committee met and made a selection for the Perry Avenue and James Street Bridge. They will meet again on July 19th to hear presentation from seven firms that have been short-listed.
A pipe was installed on North Taylor Avenue, which has resulted in keeping the water level 1-½ feet lower.
Mr. Bondi said that he is concerned about potential flooding on Olmstead Place from the proposed new construction at the old Fitch School.
OPERATIONS DIVISION REPORT
PERSONNEL
MECHANICS
Ms. Bardon said that a new mechanic will start on August 1st. They are looking to hire an intern for the Fleet Department to help with the maintenance work. She said that the positions have been posted, but they have not received any responses.
FLEET SERVICES MANAGER
Ms. Bardon said that she believed that a Step II grievance has been filed.
EQUIPMENT ISSUES
Ms. Bardon reported that the reliability of the vehicles continues to plague the department; not only for the DPW, but also for the Police, Planning & Zoning and the Parking Authority. All of the problems with the vehicles are related to their advanced age.
Mr. Alvord said that they get police cruisers at seven years of age. If they sold them, they could get $3,000 - $3,500 and used that to create a fund that could be used to purchase staff cars, such as a Saturn.
Mr. Alvord stressed that the fleet is an absolute disaster. Ms. Bardon gave an example of when one car is in park, it rolls away.
Mr. Alvord said that in the Operations meeting, Mayor Knopp said that he received Mr. Alvord’s memo regarding the fleet and said that it looked promising. He will ask the Finance Department to verify Mr. Alvord’s analysis. Mr. Bondi told Mr. Alvord that he should look into purchasing small cars. Ms. Bardon said that they need to do a “needs assessment” to determine who should have a car.
FACILITIES ISSUES
Ms. Bardon said that the ventilation program is moving forward and they are also working on the roof. She said that they need an exterminator at the garage to remove the mice.
OTHER
The next meeting is scheduled for August 2nd. Mr. Poruban said that he will be away at that time. The Committee agreed to cancel the August meeting. If there are any pressing issues that need to be placed on the Common Council agenda, Mr. Alvord will contact Mr. Bondi.
There was no further discussion and the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 9:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Rosemarie Lombardi
Telesco Secretarial Services
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