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| Public Works
Committee Actions |
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE
AUGUST 1, 2006
ATTENDANCE: Bill Krummel, Chairman; Fred Bondi; Kelly Straniti; Doug Hempstead
STAFF: Hal Alvord, Director of Public Works; Lisa Bardon
OTHER: Bill Collins; Michael Geake, 2TD; David Brown, TTD; Serafino Carri; Diane Lauricella
CALL TO ORDER
The Chairman called the meeting to order at 7:40 p.m.
** MR. KRUMMEL MOVED TO SUSPEND THE RULES AND AMEND THE AGENDA TO HEAR ITEMS - OTHER - #13 AND #14.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
13. Forwarding solid waste consultant RFQ to Council.
** MR. BONDI MOVED TO FORWARD THE SOLID WASTE CONSULTANT REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS TO COUNCIL.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
14. Norwalk Public Power Authority
Bill Collins explained that currently six towns in Connecticut have taken over
power plants, with the public interest in mind. He stated that they borrowed
the money from utility bonds and started producing electricity everyday with
the ownership being the public. He stated that if Norwalk had a public power
authority, the proceeds would be used to lower the price of electricity in the
Town. He reported that the Long Island Power Authority is currently creating
their own electricity. He explained that 15% of the electricity used in the
country is produced by government power plants and 30% is distributed. He reported
that they are not trying to reinvent the wheel, however they are docile as what
the power companies are doing and getting away with doing. Mr. Collins stated
that the electricity would be sold 10% cheaper than what they are paying today
and that there was a big margin for saving citizens a great deal of money.
He noted that the electric generator and distributor would be owned by the public.
Mr. Collins reported that the Mayor has gone along with this and the first step
was to have a consultant do a feasibility study and let them report what the
high and low points would be. Mr. Hempstead stated that anything that would
help the taxpayer and get out of a monopoly was a good thing. He stated they
should move forward with it because they had nothing to lose. Ms. Straniti asked
how long it would be before it paid itself off and made a profit. Mr. Collins
replied that it would it would pay off right from the start and they would set
an electric rate that covers generation, the staff, and the bonds. Ms. Straniti
asked if the electricity could be sold to other towns and Mr. Collins replied
that they could find other partners, possibly Stamford. Mr. Bondi stated that
he thought it was a great idea and he would like to see the Second Taxing District
and Third Taxing District all together and have them supply the whole city.
He said it would be self-sustaining, there would not be as many outages, and
they should pursue it. Mr. Krummel stated that he was concerned with the plant
that was 40 to 50 years old and commented that they were going to have to make
an investment in equipment and pollution control. He also said that there were
other possibilities and possibly a synergy between the LI Power Authority and
Norwalk. He stated that he was thoroughly in favor of the study. Mr. Collins
noted that if the Public Power Authority got up and running there would be no
impact on the Second or Third Taxing District, except to sell to them. They
would not combine them and they would still be independent.
Mr. Collins reported that Los Angeles and Sacramento have a Pubic Power Authority today and went through an electrical crisis, without blackouts, because they were producing their own power. He also stated that businesses have been looking at those cities because of the lower rates and stability and this could be more attractive for businesses to come to Norwalk. Mr. Collins stated that one other generating asset is the tides and research has been done on it.
Mr. Krummel asked what the next step would be and Mr. Alvord replied that an RFQ would be issued to gather consultants.
** MR. BONDI MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS TO ISSUE A REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS FOR CONSULTANT SERVICES TO ACCOMPLISH A FEASABILITY STUDY FOR THE PURPOSE OF EXPLORING A PUBIC POWER AUTHORITY FOR THE CITY OF NORWALK.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
1. Approve the Minutes from the Public Works Committee meeting of Tuesday,
June 6, 2006.
** MR. BONDI MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF JUNE 6, 2006.
** MOTION PASSED WITH ONE (1) VOTE ABSTAINED (KRUMMEL).
APPROVALS/AUTHORIZATIONS
2. Schedule a Public Hearing on proposed Public Works rate and fee revisions
for Tuesday September 5, 2006.
Mr. Hempstead stated, for the record, that Stew Leonards owns a solid waste
disposal plant and that he has no personal interest in this.
The Committee reviewed the proposed revisions to the fee schedule. Mr. Hempstead requested that the Administration Fee be updated for the public hearing.
** MR. BONDI MOVED TO SCHEDULE A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOSED PUBLIC WORKS RATE AND FEE REVISIONS FOR TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2006 AT 7:00 PM.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
3. Authorize the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia, to execute an Agreement with Dewberry- Goodkind, Inc., to provide Inspection Services in connection wit the Rehabilitation of the Wall Street Bridge for a sum not to exceed $41,600.
Account No. 0903 4021 5777 C0255
** MR. HEMPSTEAD MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR, RICHARD A. MOCCIA, TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH DEWBERRY- GOODKIND, INC., TO PROVIDE INSPECTION SERVICES IN CONNECTION WIT THE REHABILITATION OF THE WALL STREET BRIDGE FOR A SUM NOT TO EXCEED $41,600.
ACCOUNT NO. 0903 4021 5777 C0255
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
4. Authorize the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia, to execute an extension for one
year to the
Agreement with Safety Markings, Inc. in connection with Project No. RD 2005-1,
Proposed Painted Pavement Markings and Legends at Various Locations, for a sum
not to exceed $150,000.
Account No. 0907 4021 5777 C0283
** MS. STRANITI MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR, RICHARD A. MOCCIA, TO EXECUTE
AN EXTENSION FOR ONE YEAR TO THE
AGREEMENT WITH SAFETY MARKINGS, INC. IN CONNECTION WITH PROJECT NO. RD 2005-1,
PROPOSED PAINTED PAVEMENT MARKINGS AND LEGENDS AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS, FOR A SUM
NOT TO EXCEED $150,000.
ACCOUNT NO. 0907 4021 5777 C0283
5. Authorize the Director of Public Works to issue Orders on Contract to M. Rondano, Inc, for Project No. SS 2005-1, Proposed Sanitary Sewer on Old Field Road, Old Field Place and Witch Lane, for a sum not to exceed $14,000.
Account No. 09 00 4060 C0043
** MR. BONDI MOVEDAUTHORIZE THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS TO ISSUE ORDERS ON CONTRACT TO M. RONDANO, INC, FOR PROJECT NO. SS 2005-1, PROPOSED SANITARY SEWER ON OLD FIELD ROAD, OLD FIELD PLACE AND WITCH LANE, FOR A SUM NOT TO EXCEED $14,000.
ACCOUNT NO. 09 00 4060 C0043
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
6. Authorize the Director of Public Works to issue Orders on Contract to FGB Construction Company for Project 4R 2005-1, 4R Pavement Management Program, for a sum not to exceed $1,200,000 and to extend the contract completion date to October 31, 2006.
Account No. 09 074021 C0283
** MR. HEMPSTEAD MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS TO ISSUE ORDERS ON CONTRACT TO FGB CONSTRUCTION COMPANY FOR PROJECT 4R 2005-1, 4R PAVEMENT MANAGEMENT PROGRAM, FOR A SUM NOT TO EXCEED $1,200,000 AND TO EXTEND THE CONTRACT COMPLETION DATE TO OCTOBER 31, 2006.
ACCOUNT NO. 09 074021 C0283
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
7. Authorize the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia, to execute an agreement with Milone
&
McBroom, Inc. to provide a flood abatement study of the Keeler Brook Watershed
for a sum not to exceed $115,000. __—
Account No. 0907 4027 C0395
** MS. STRANITI MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR, RICHARD A. MOCCIA, TO EXECUTE
AN AGREEMENT WITH MILONE &
MCBROOM, INC. TO PROVIDE A FLOOD ABATEMENT STUDY OF THE KEELER BROOK WATERSHED
FOR A SUM NOT TO EXCEED $115,000. __—
ACCOUNT NO. 0907 4027 C0395
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
8. Authorize the Director of Public Works to issue Orders on Contract to Advanced
Corp. Tank Repair for Project No. DPW 2005-1, Proposed On-Site Armor Cast Tank
Repair at the Public Works Center, for a sum not to exceed $10,000.
Account No. 09 07 4071 5777 C0387
** MR. BONDI MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS TO ISSUE ORDERS
ON CONTRACT TO ADVANCED
CORP. TANK REPAIR FOR PROJECT NO. DPW 2005-1, PROPOSED ON-SITE ARMOR CAST TANK
REPAIR AT THE PUBLIC WORKS CENTER, FOR A SUM NOT TO EXCEED $10,000.
ACCOUNT NO. 09 07 4071 5777 C0387
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
9. Authorize the Director of Public Works to purchase sand from Terzian Trucking
(third
lowest bidder on SWRPA 2006 Co-op RFB) and salt from Morton Salt (second lowest
bidder on SWRPA 2006 Co-op RFB).
The Committee reviewed the list of sand vendor quotes.
** MR. HEMPSTEAD MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC
WORKS TO PURCHASE SAND FROM TERZIAN TRUCKING (THIRD
LOWEST BIDDER ON SWRPA 2006 CO-OP RFB) AND SALT FROM MORTON SALT (SECOND LOWEST
BIDDER ON SWRPA 2006 CO-OP RFB).
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
DISCUSSION
10. Engineering Division Report
a. Personnel
1) Junior engineer – 2 positions
Mr. Alvord reported that two vacancies exist due to one person retiring and one person that accepted the position and was there for less than six month. He reported that the positions have been advertised and they will fill them as quickly as possible.
b. Projects
1) Perry Avenue Bridge over the Silvermine River
Mr. Alvord reported that Perry Avenue Bridge was completed. They had a meeting with DEP and they will not require permits. He reported that they will now give a presentation to the citizens in August. Mr. Alvord also reported that the residents of Silvermine have made an application to designate the bridge as historic and so now they cannot touch the bridge until a federal decision is reached. Mr. Hempstead stated that he wanted to complement everyone on a job well done. He said it was not an easy task but they came up with a great solution.
2) Foxboro traffic signal
Mr. Alvord reported that the traffic signal was under construction.
3) City-wide flooding investigation
Mr. Bondi had a question about flooding at Gwendolyn and it was agreed that it would be taken up later. Mr. Alvord reported that they obtained a Special Appropriation for $120,000 to hire a flood consultant and that Ty and Bond were selected and sent a contract.
4) Others (attached status sheet)
c. Other
1) Edgerton survey claim
Mr. Alvord reported that William Edgerton of 287 Richards Avenue, is claiming that the city sidewalk encroaches on his property following the re-build of the Fillow-Richards intersection. Mr. Edgerton hired a surveyor that charged $3,325 who determined the city is encroaching on his property. He stated that Mr. Edgerton wants to be paid for the cost of the survey. The Committee advised Mr. Alvord to contact Mr. Edgerton and tell him to contact Dolce.
11. Operations Division Report
a. Personnel
1) Superintendent of Operations
Ms. Bardon reported that the Superintendent position is still vacant. Mr. Alvord stated that they have restructured the ads and they will not hire anyone that does not meet their needs.
2) Fleet Services Manager
Ms. Bardon reported that they are gearing up to advertise. Mr. Alvord stated that they revised the job description so that is not a position that is appointed by the Mayor.
b. Equipment
1) Snow plows
Ms. Bardon reported that they are getting ready to order two snow plows as quickly as possible.
2) Vaccuum truck
Ms. Bardon reported that they will order one vacuum truck.
3) John Deere loader
Ms. Bardon reported that they have to obtain an RFP as quickly as possible.
4) Other
c. Other
1) Staff vehicles
Mr. Alvord reported that the new Taurus cars and two Ford Escapes are in.
2) Scrap item auction results
Ms. Bardon reported that they had an auction to get rid of scrap vehicles at the garage and they made $10,835.
3) PWC Fuel tank repair
Mr. Alvord reported that this was completed.
4) Salt shed repairs and protection
Ms. Bardon reported that they are still working with using in-house resources and they are using epoxy coating on the shed.
5) PWC roof repair
Ms. Bardon reported that the roof repair is kicking off next week.
12. Customer Service Center Report
a. Personnel
1) Customer Service Representative
This item was not discussed.
b. Other
1) Reports
The Committee reviewed the customer service centers reports that included customer service calls. Mr. Hempstead asked if the report could be in a different format. The Committee also reviewed the open service requests report.
OTHER
15. Public Works Annual Open House – September 30, 2006
16. Action on any item discussed herein.
17. Next PublicWorks Committee Meeting:
Tuesday, September 5, 2006
Public Works Library, Room 225, Norwalk City Hall
ADJOURNMENT
** MR. HEMPSTEAD MOVED TO ADJOURN.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Donna DeVito
Telesco Secretarial Services
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