JANUARY 3, 2006

ATTENDANCE: Bill Krummel, Chairman; Doug Hempstead; Carvin Hilliard;
Phyllis Bolden; Kelly Straniti; Fred Bondi

STAFF: Hal Alvord, Director, DPW; Lisa Bardon, Operations Manager, DPW;
Richard Linnartz, DPW Principal Engineer

CALL TO ORDER

Chairman Krummel called the meeting to order at 7:36 p.m.

APPROVALS/AUTHORIZATIONS

** MS. BOLDEN MOVED TO SUSPEND THE RULES TO ADD AN ITEM TO THE AGENDA, ITEM #6.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

1. Approve the Minutes from the Public Works Committee dated Tuesday, October 4,
2005.

** MR. HEMPSTEAD MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF OCTOBER 4, 2005.
** MOTION PASSED WITH ONE VOTE IN FAVOR AND FOUR (4) ABSTENTIONS (STRANITI, HEMPSTEAD, BOLDEN, BONDI).

2. Approve the Minutes from the Public Works Committee dated Tuesday, November 1,
2005.

** MR. HEMPSTEAD MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 1, 2005.
** MOTION PASSED WITH ONE VOTE IN FAVOR AND FIVE (5) ABSTENTIONS (STRANITI, HEMPSTEAD, BOLDEN, BONDI, HILLIARD).

3. Schedule a Public Hearing, on Tuesday, January 3, 2006, and appoint Freeholder’s in connection with the road abandonment on a portion of Lynes Place for Tuesday, February 7, 2006, 7:30 p.m., room TBD.

Mr. Linnartz pointed out the property on a drawing and explained that it runs east from the intersection of Lynes Place and Berkeley Street. He reported that the road currently serves no purpose to the City and this is an abandonment of the right of way. The purpose of the abandonment is to consolidate the parcels to allow for a more unified façade along Berkeley Street when the property is redeveloped. Mr. Linnartz reported that the City will no longer be required to maintain the street but will have the right to maintain and install utilities in the area. David Fites Waters, representing the applicant, stated that the value of the property is approximately $20,000.

It was discussed that the Freeholders will be appointed by the Common Council and they will make a recommendation for the final settlement. Mr. Krummel asked if the application had been completed and Mr. Linnartz replied the street abandonment application had been completed and he recommended that they proceed to a public hearing.

** MR. BONDI MOVED TO SCHEDULE A PUBLIC HEARING ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2006, AT 7:30 PM, IN CONNECTION WITH THE ROAD ABANDONMENT ON A PORTION OF LYNES PLACE.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Mr. Alvord suggested that the public hearing be held in the Public Works Conference Room prior to the next Committee meeting. The Committee concurred.

4. Approve proposed revisions to Chapters 44 and 90, Norwalk City Code, and authorize forwarding to the Ordinance Committee of the Common Council.

Mr. Alvord stated that they were in the processing of updating ordinances in the department. He recommended eliminating Chapter 44 in its entirety explaining that it was created in 1953 when each department had its own maintenance function. He stated that currently the Department of Fleet Services has moved to DPW and the Director position does not exist any longer. He reported that the pertinent sections of Chapter 44 have been now been included in Section 90.

Mr. Bondi questioned if each department should have their own budget for repairs to equipment as this was done in the past.

** MR. HEMPSTEAD MOVED TO FORWARD THE ELIMINATION OF CHAPTER 44 OF THE NORWALK CITY CODE TO THE ORDINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL.
** MOTION PASSED WITH FIVE VOTES IN FAVOR AND ONE ABSTENTION
(BONDI).

The Committee then reviewed the revisions to Chapter 90 of the Norwalk City Code. Mr. Hempstead questioned the term “fleet services” in Section 90.2 (K).

** MS. STRANITI MOVED TO FORWARD THE REVISIONS TO CHAPTER 90 OF THE NORWALK CITY CODE TO THE ORDINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL.
** MOTION PASSED WITH FOUR IN FAVOR AND TWO OPPOSED (BONDI, HEMPSTEAD).

5. Authorize the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia, to execute an Agreement with Dewberry-Goodkind, Inc., to complete the necessary permit applications and coordinate the process for the Rehabilitation of the Wall Street Bridge Project, for a sum not to exceed $6,500.

Account No. 0903 4021 5777 C0255

Mr. Linnartz reported that the City signed a contract to prepare design plans of the Wall Street Bridge with Dewberry-Goodkind, Inc. and it did not include the preparation of permit applications to the DEP since the City was anticipating preparing the applications themselves. The additional funds are needed to cover the completion of the permit applications. Mr. Linnartz stated that this is a fully funded project between the City and the State. Mr. Hempstead stated that Dewberry-Goodkind, Inc. does occasional work for Stew Leonards, however he had no conflict with this request.

** MR. BONDI MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR, RICHARD A. MOCCIA, TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH DEWBERRY-GOODKIND, INC., TO COMPLETE THE NECESSARY PERMIT APPLICATIONS AND COORDINATE THE PROCESS FOR THE REHABILITATION OF THE WALL STREET BRIDGE
PROJECT, FOR A SUM NOT TO EXCEED $6,500. ACCOUNT NUMBER 0903 4021 5777 C0255
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

6. Authorize the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia, to execute an Agreement with G&K Services for uniform rental and cleaning for a sum not to exceed $30,000.

Account No. 0140 21 5271

Ms. Bardon reported that an RFP was done for uniform rental and cleaning and she received three bids. She stated that it was found to be more cost effective to rent the uniforms rather than purchasing them. She reported that last year the cost was $35,000 for uniform rental and this year, with additional uniforms for the supervisor, the contract with G&K Services has been reduced to $30,000.

** MR. HEMPSTEAD MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR, RICHARD A. MOCCIA, TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH G&K SERVICES FOR UNIFORM RENTAL AND CLEANING FOR A SUM NOT TO EXCEED $30,000.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

DISCUSSION
6. Engineering Division Report

a. Personnel

1. Junior Engineer

Mr. Linnartz reported that the Junior Engineer will start on January 23 and will begin working with Brian Sweeney on State Grant projects.

b. Project updates

1. 2005-2006 Road Repaving – streets completed

Mr. Linnartz reported that nothing had changed because they have not been repaving. He distributed a list of upcoming streets to be paved this spring.

2. Witch Lane, Old Field Road sanitary sewer

Mr. Linnarz reported that the Witch Lane project was complete and they are finishing the air testing on the main lines. The final paving will be done in the spring.

c. Other

1. Water Street sediment removal – Norwest Marine and Total Marine

Mr. Linnartz reported that the sediment will be removed from boat basins through an easement and cannot be dumped into Long Island Sound. He stated that he is working with the Corps of Engineers to have the material placed in cab cells at a cost of $52.00 per cubic yard. He reported that this month they will be putting in storm water filters that will cut down on the sediment. He stated that this was a three year effort and he was glad to get it resolved. Mr. Hempstead asked if they could do filtering in other areas of the City. Mr. Linnartz replied that this was a pilot project and may not be suitable for other areas. He said it would work good at Water Street because of the flooding.

2. Foxboro traffic signal

Mr. Linnartz reported that the agreements have been finalized with the Foxboro Condo Association and checks have been received for their portion of the project. He stated that, when complete, the traffic signal will be owned by the State and maintained by Foxboro Condo Association. He expected the traffic signal to be in operation by July or August.

7. Operations Division Report

a. Personnel

1. Fleet related activities

Ms. Bardon said that with the ongoing issue for the termination of the Fleet Services Manager, a Fleet vacancy has existed since June. She reported that the arbitration date was canceled due to the weather. The vacancy cannot be filled until this is resolved.

b. Equipment issues

1. Vacuum truck RFP

Ms. Bardon reported that an RFP is out for a vacuum truck and she was expecting bids to come in this week and she would then report back with the cost.

Mr. Bondi departed the meeting at 8:50 p.m.

c. Facility issues

1. PWC roof repair

Ms. Bardon said that the skylight repair was complete but the roof was still leaking.
Ms. Bolden stated that something needed to be done right away as it was not acceptable working conditions for the people there. Mr. Alvord explained that the leak shifts and they cannot figure out where it is coming from. He said they would need to address the entire roof and see whether it should be replaced it or seal it. Ms. Bardon said that there was $100,000 in the budget, however they need more capital appropriations for the work.

2. PWC air quality fix

Ms. Bardon reported that this was ongoing.

3. Fuel tank repair

Ms. Bardon reported that they made temporary repairs to the fuel tank. The bid documents are in legal waiting for the bond issues to be resolved.

4. PWC space planning

Ms. Bardon said that they need a comprehensive plan and next month an architect will be brought in to accommodate utilization of the space.
d. Other

1. October 27 Snow Rodeo

Ms. Bardon said they had a very successful snow rodeo that included all plow drivers and the highway staff. She said the events included a safety presentation, vehicle maintenance orientation by the mechanics, and five truck driving skills events held at Calf Pasture Beach. The top three performers will be going to the State event. She said it was a good team building and training tool. Mr. Alvord added that it was a great morale builder for the staff.

8. Customer Service Center Report

Mr. Alvord said that software development continues. He reported that they will open the doors to walk-ins and go live in the middle of the month. He said he was getting positive feedback from residents calling in. He stated that there were two benefits: the residents were getting answers quickly and the number of calls the Public Works Department has been handling has lessened.

9. DPW budget submissions

a. Operating budget overview

Mr. Alvord stated that they were trying to approach the budget on a functional basis which was the same approach as last year. He said that last year they asked for 39 positions and were given two positions in Traffic. This year the budget includes 37 positions. He reported that last year the budget was submitted for $19 Million and they received $14 Million. In this year’s budget they are requesting $20,374,852. Mr. Hempstead noted that this was a $6 Million increase from last year and asked which requests were the most important. Mr. Alvord stated that some of the items added in this year’s budget included tree maintenance and a consultant to look into other options for mass garbage removal when the CT Resource Recovery contract ends in 2008.

Ms. Bolden departed the meeting at 9:50 p.m.

b. Capital budget overview

The capital budget was not reviewed.

OTHER

10. Meeting schedule for Calendar Year 2006

The meeting schedule was distributed to the Committee.
11. Action on any item discussed herein

There was no action taken.

12. Next Public Works Committee Meeting

Tuesday, February 7, 2006

Public Works Conference Room/Room 225, Norwalk City Hall

** MR. HEMPSTEAD MOVED TO ADJOURN.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:55 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Donna DeVito
Telesco Secretarial Services

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