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| Public Works
Committee Actions |
MAY 2, 2006
ATTENDANCE: William Krummel, Chair; Rev. Phyllis Bolden; Kelly Straniti;
Fred Bondi (7:45 p.m.); Douglas Hempstead (7:55 p.m.)
STAFF: Hal Alvord, Director, DPW; Lisa Bardon, DPW Operations Manager
Mr. Krummel called the meeting to order at 7:40 p.m. noting that there was not a quorum present.
Authorize the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia, to execute an agreement with AGT International
for the purchase of One Call Locating and Sorting service, for an annual sum
not to exceed $5,000.
Account No. 0140 30 5254
Mr. Krummel asked for information about the item above. Ms. Bardon explained
that they are purchasing the service, not the software. She explained how the
service would work. Mr. Alvord said that they currently receive over 200 calls
a day regarding digging. There is no one to screen the calls or mark the areas,
which is in violation of the law. This service will allow those calls to connect
to the GIS.
Mr. Bondi arrived at 7:45 p.m.; a quorum was now present.
APPROVALS/AUTHORIZATIONS
Approve the Minutes from the Public Works Committee meeting of Tuesday, March
7, 2006.
** REV. BOLDEN MOVED TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES
The following correction was made to the minutes: correct the spelling of Mr.
Seligson’s name on page 1.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
Approve the Minutes from the Public Works Committee meeting of Wednesday, April
5, 2006.
** MR. BONDI MOVED TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES AS PRESENTED
** MOTION PASSED WITH TWO (2) ABSTENTIONS (MR. BONDI AND REV. BOLDEN)
** MR. BONDI MOVED TO SUSPEND THE RULES TO ADD AN ITEM TO THE AGENDA
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
** MR. BONDI MOVED TO ADD THE FOLLOWING ITEM THE AGENDA
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
6 Gwendolyn Street
Mr. Bondi explained that Mrs. Peterson has had problems with water coming from
the main line into property and home. During heavy rains, storm water as well
as sewage backs up into her crawlspace.
Mrs. Peterson presented a map showing a seven mile radius of the area. There
are only four homes on Gwendolyn Street, two of which are connected to the public
sewage line. During heavy rains, the manhole cover lifts up and raw sewage comes
up.
Mrs. Peterson also showed the Committee an article that was printed in the Stamford
Advocate talking about this problem. She said that she has written to various
officials looking for help with this situation.
Mr. Hempstead arrived at 7:55 p.m.
Mrs. Peterson reviewed the results of Health Department lab reports.
Mrs. Peterson said that she found out that the previous owner of the property
had a lawsuit with the City, which was never disclosed to her when she purchased
the property.
Mr. Alvord said that he was very familiar with Mrs. Peterson’s circumstances.
He and Ms. Bardon have been very involved. The home sits on the lowest point
on the street and the home was built on a pond. Mr. Bondi concurred and said
that his father in law’s family used to let their pigs graze in that area.
Ms. Bardon said that they have conducted investigative smoke tests to determine
if there are any direct connections, but they believe that the problem is a
combination of private and business connections. She said that they hope to
find something that would be within the City’s control to fix.
A consultant has been hired to investigate this matter further. She said that
there are so many different elements here. The sewage is contaminating the storm
water that is flooding Mrs. Peterson’s property.
Mr. Alvord said that this was a difficult property. He has met with Mrs. Peterson
a number of times and understands her frustration. He said that if they put
in a dry well, it will delay the water from hitting her property.
Mr. Hempstead asked Mrs. Peterson if she had the house inspected when she purchased
it. She said that she did and now has a lawsuit against the former owner.
Mr. Alvord said that he suspects that there is a void somewhere in the storm
system and the sanitary sewer system. Mr. Krummel asked for an update at next
month’s meeting.
Mr. Bondi asked if there was anything else the department could do. Mr. Alvord
replied that if there was something, they would have done it already.
Mrs. Peterson thanked the committee and left the meeting.
Mr. Alvord said that there are water marks in her home, which sits at the bottom
of a hole. He said that the City offered her a settlement last September when
her property flooded.
Authorize the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia, to execute an agreement with AGT International
for the purchase of One Call Locating and Sorting service, for an annual sum
not to exceed $5,000. (continued)
Account No. 0140 30 5254
** MR. BONDI MOVED TO THE ITEM ABOVE
Mr. Alvord continued with his explanation of the item. He said that this system
will do the screening for them that is required by State law.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
** REV. BOLDEN MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS TO ISSUE A REQUEST
FOR QUALIFICATIONS FOR ENGINEERING AND DESIGN SERVICES TO DEVELOP A TRAFFIC
MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE CITY OF NORWALK, TO INCLUDE COMPREHENSIVE APPROACHES
TO TRAFFIC CALMING, TO BE FUNDED FROM EXISTING TRAFFIC CALMING ACCOUNTS.
Mr. Krummel said that there have been 52 requests for speed bumps.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
** MS. STRNITI MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR, RICHARD A. MOCCIA, TO EXECUTE ANY
AND ALL AGREEMENTS WITH THE NATIONAL FISH AND WILDLIFE FOUNDATION (GRANT AGREEMENT),
IN CONNECTION WITH THE STORM WATER CONTROL DEMONSTRATION (NY) PROJECT #2005-0191-005
THROUGH THE LONG ISLAND SOUND FUTURES FUND. GRANT AWARD IS $35,000.
Mr. Hempstead said that he would be more comfortable with more information.
Mr. Alvord said that he would provide back up materials for the Common Council
meeting on Tuesday.
** MOTION PASSED WITH ONE (1) ABSTENTION (MR. HEMPSTEAD)
** MR. BONDI MOVED TO SCHEDULE A PUBLIC HEARING TO HEAR THE FREEHOLDER’S REPORT
TO ASSESS BENEFITS AND DAMAGES RESULTING FROM THE ABANDONMENT OF A PORTION OF
LYNES PLACE FOR TUESDAY, JUNE 6, 2006, 7:30 P.M.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
** MR. HEMPSTEAD MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR, RICHARD A. MOCCIA, TO EXECUTE
AN INDEMNITY AGREEMENT FOR ALL LICENSED PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS AND DESIGN PROFESSIONALS
WHO ARE REGULAR FULL TIME EMPLOYEES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS.
Mr. Alvord explained that they are doing four bridge jobs, one of which will
be designed in house. When they ask as a designer, they have to provide the
DOT with all of the same documents as any other consultant. The insurance protects
the individual engineers from financial risk
Mr. Alvord said that the agreement was suggested by and written by the Law Department.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
** MR. HEMPSTEAD MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR, RICHARD A. MOCCIA, TO EXECUTE
AN AGREEMENT WITH A.J. PENNA & SONS CONSTRUCTION OF CT INC. FOR PROJECT
NO. DRG 2005-1 PROPOSED GENERAL DRAINAGE AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS, FOR A SUM NOT
TO EXCEED $274,115.63
AND TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR, RICHARD A. MOCCIA, TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH
A.J. PENNA & SONS CONSTRUCTION OF CT INC., PROPOSED GENERAL DRAINAGE AT
VARIOUS LOCATIONS, FOR A SUM NOT TO EXCEED $54,823.
ACCOUNT NO: 0905 4021 5777 C0138 ($125,000)
0906 4021 5777 C032 ($203,938.63)
Mr. Alvord explained that this was a technical correction to the name of the construction company.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
DISCUSSION
Engineering Division Report
Personnel
Junior Engineer
Mr. Alvord announced that Paul Polange will retire on June 30th. They will begin
advertising for a Junior Engineer.
Project updates
Final FY 2006-2007 paving plan
Mr. Alvord distributed the final list for 2006-2007. He said that there was
the possibility that they would have to cut a street off due to the increase
in asphalt costs.
Rev. Bolden said that she has heard a lot of complaints about Ely Avenue.
Janitorial and Mechanical Services
Mr. Alvord said that they will be conducting interviews on Friday.
Facilities Management Services
Mr. Alvord said that they will be interviewing in May.
Other
Pavement Protection Criteria
Mr. Alvord said that they are in the permit program. Except for an emergency,
there is a one year moratorium allowing a contractor to dig on a street. He
said that he would like to see the moratorium extended to two years.
Operations Division Report
Personnel
Fleet Services Manager
Ms. Bardon reported that they do not have an arbitration date on the Mr. Lyons
termination.
The temporary fleet manager is doing an excellent job.
Superintendent of Operations
Ms. Bardon said that this position is being heavily advertised.
Equipment Issues
Re-appropriation of FY 2006-2007 Fleet Replacement funds – sweeper to vacuum
truck
Mr. Alvord explained that they had requested seven items. Items 1, 2, and 7
were approved. There is a grant available for a dry sweeper. They applied last
year, but were denied. He said that he had an urgent need for a vacuum truck
rather than a dry sweeper.
Mr. Hempstead said that if a lump sum was approved, he did not believe they
would have to go through the re-appropriation process.
Mr. Alvord said that he will not be able to issue a purchase order until July
1st.
Automated Vehicle Locating System (GPS)
Ms. Bardon said that they are continue to work on RFQ’s for GPS on the snow
plows.
Facility Issues
Salt Shed Repair
Ms. Bardon reported that lateral bracing is needed on the building. The in-house
staff has done repairs, but that is too big to do in house. They are also treating
the wall with water proofing.
Fuel Tank Repair
Ms. Bardon reported that the repairs are underway. The biggest issues was getting
a contractor in place.
Other
Customer Service Center Report
Mr. Alvord reported that over 5,000 service requests were received. Ms. Bardon
and Ms. Blair went to Crystal Report training, so that they will be able to
create reports.
OTHER
Mr. Bondi asked when the department was going to start enforcing no plastic
garbage bags on the streets. Mr. Alvord said that they are doing it on a case
by case basis with the merchants.
Information
CIRMA Risk Management Award to Norwalk DPW
Mr. Alvord said that the department will be recognized on May 19th for their
safety program.
Finalist – US Conference of Mayors/Home Depot Foundation 2006 Awards of Excellence
for Community Trees
Mr. Alvord said that the City is a finalist in the US Conference of Mayor/Home
Depot Foundation. Norwalk is one of 16 communities that was invited to submit
an application.
The first prize is a $75,000 grant. The award will be announced on June 3rd
at the US Conference of Mayors.
** MR. BONDI MOVED TO ADJOURN
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
There was no further business and the meeting was adjourned at 10:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Rosemarie Lombardi
Telesco Secretarial Services
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