OCTOBER 3, 2006

ATTENDANCE: Bill Krummel; Kevin Poruban; Kelly Straniti;
Doug Hempstead (8:55 p.m.)

STAFF: Lisa Bardon, DPW; Hal Alvord; DPW

OTHER: Mark Schwartz; Paul Schwartz; Jeff Vangele; Bob Storms;
Guillermo Alvarez

CALL TO ORDER

Mr. Krummel called the meeting to order at 7:45 p.m. and said that there was no quorum.

DISCUSSION

9. Engineering Division Report

a. Personnel

1. Junior engineer – 2 offers made

b. Projects

1. See attached project status sheet

Mr. Alvord said the Perry Avenue project will be go out to bid in early January with alternating two way traffic. Wall Street is ready to go. The railing has been selected.

Mr. Alvord reviewed the rest of the project list, saying that the punchlist for the Witch Lane and Oldfield Road project has been completed. He said regarding the drainage contract, they will hire a pipe cleaning company with equipment that is powerful enough to get the work done. They selected VHB as the contractor for the traffic signal upgrade, which is the $3.5M federal grant under CMAC to design the replacement. It’s enough money to replace the first 24 signals. They will then apply for another CMAC grant to replace the rest of the signals.

Mr. Alvord gave an update on the Foxboro project update. The cost for a traffic signal at that intersection would be about $270,000, with the State putting in $210,000, and the condo association putting in $60,000. The City ended up managing the project because of the State not being allowed to give taxpayer funds to a condominium association. The project became very complicated and the cost then rose to $475,000. The permit was pulled, a meeting was held with the DOT in Newington, and everyone went back to work on the project. The funding ended up with an initial grant from the State of $210,000. The bank voluntarily offered $105,000. The condo association should have put in $100,000 plus the contingency, but they refused to pay the contingency. The project couldn’t start without the contingency, so Senator Bob Duff obtained a $50,000 grant. The State sent two checks, one to the City and one to the Foxboro Condo Association, which Mr. Alvord understood from previous conversations wasn’t allowed. The DOT has driven changes on the job, and the contingency will be needed in order to complete the project. Senator Duff took the $50,000 from the City and gave it to the Historical Commission. So they now know they cannot cover the contract value. Funds would have to be transferred into the project account to finish the project. Mr. Alvord said that he is legally required to issue a stop work order on the project, which he plans to do on or around the 4th of November.

Mr. Alvord said the designs for the other traffic signal projects are essentially done, including the fire station at Van Zant and Osborn; Main St and Wall, etc. RFQ’s need to be crafted on the others. Mr. Alvord explained the Strawberry Hill and Saferoutes project. He said that the Council approved an $80,000 design project for traffic calming measures. The City applied for the $365,000 Saferoutes to School grant, which makes a city street safer for children to walk or ride a bicycle to school. They need the State’s approval to do this as one project. He expected the project to take several years. Mr. Alvord explained that the $365,000 grant includes both design and construction.

Ms. Straniti mentioned that the timing appears to have changed on the traffic signal at Fox Run and Redcoat. Mr. Alvord explained that it had been manually adjusted, and it will be adjusted back to allow more time. Ms. Straniti mentioned that at Ward Street and Senior Court, it seems that the light is very rarely red. She asked if they would do away with it. Mr. Alvord said they most likely wouldn’t remove it, and that it would be replaced with newer technology.

Mr. Alvord reviewed the paving projects, saying that Weed Avenue & St. Mary’s are done. Wolfpit Avenue is under construction now.

c. Other

3. Authorize the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia, to execute an Easement Agreement with Briar Street, LLC for access, construction and maintenance of storm drainage for a portion of Lawn Street.

Mr. Alvord said that a copy of the latest easement document was included in the packet. After a review by Mr. Orenstein of the Law Department and the builder’s attorney, the word “exclusive” was removed from the document. Mr. Alvord said his engineering staff has been working with the Conservation Department in giving guidance and direction to the builders’ engineer on how they want the drainage system done, assuming that an easement will be done. Some discussion followed regarding the easement project, the drainage system, and the map provided. Mr. Alvord explained that the rip-rap going down the rest of the swail will be widened out in order to provide additional protection along the swail, where there is exposed earth that provides some opportunity for further erosion. The wetland that borders on Meeker Court and downhill of the residence is useless; currently the flow doesn’t go into the wetland. A channel cut will be put in to restore and improve flow, and some of the sedimentation will be cleaned out by the Highway Department, in conjunction with the Conservation Department. Part of the property is on 8 Sheffield Rd.

Mr. Paul Schwartz, of 8 Sheffield Rd, voiced his concerns about the swail. He said they have had concerns about the water run-off for a number of years. The drainage problem created flooding situations for the properties below it. He said that the DPW had cleaned it out several times. He said that with the addition of two new houses on Briar Street, the drainage from those driveways is going down Briar Street and making the situation worse. He said the drainage pipe that flows into the wetlands gets clogged from the sediment. They have been trying to get their own Civil Engineer, but he was not convinced that the rip-rap diversion will solve the problem. It could abate the problem, but it won’t solve it completely, and he sees it as an on-going problem. Mr. Alvord said that water will always run down-hill, and there is no way to control sediment flow. Mr. Bob Storms said that at the request of the Conservation Department and the DPW, he installed temporary measures of hay bales to slow the run-off. They are awaiting a permit application to dredge the property.

Mr. Storms said that the original driveway of the old house was existing and non-conforming and said that Planning & Zoning didn’t allow him to leave the driveway there, and the house had to be within the setback. That is how the driveway was built in its present location. He claims that they followed every direction given them by P&Z. Both Mr. Storms and Mr. Vangele asked how they could get Mr. Alvord to speak at the Common Council meeting, because they have asked twice now and it hasn’t happened. The issue has been sent back to the Committee twice, yet there were three Committee people present at the Committee meeting. Mr. Krummel said he thought the essential problem was more a question of procedure, with members of the Council feeling that Mr. Storms should have had an appraisal done, and compare the proposed improvements to what he would have offered to buy it. They would have then had an evaluation and a reasonable exchange of use of the city property and money.

Mr. Alvord said that the previous owner of the property wanted the city to abandon the street so he could purchase it. He said his concern now is that the city has an opportunity, at someone else’s expense, to put into place a project that is going to help protect the wetlands and the residents downstream. He felt it was the only solution they would find. Mr. Krummel said he would convey that information to his colleagues. Mr. Alvord said that Mr. Orenstein from the Law Department and the builder’s attorney are comfortable with the document as it reads now, and he said that a tax map will be added to the easement document, as well as a final engineered drawing that would include the channel cut.

Mr. Alvarez said that the plan presented is an improvement from the past proposals.

Mr. Hempstead arrived at 8:55 p.m.

Mr. Krummel announced that they were now officially in session.

** MR. PORUBAN MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR, RICHARD A. MOCCIA, TO EXECUTE AN EASEMENT AGREEMENT WITH BRIAR STREET, LLC FOR ACCESS, CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF STORM DRAINAGE FOR A PORTION OF LAWN STREET.

Mr. Krummel clarified the reasons it was sent back to the Committee, saying that it was difficult to determine a formal evaluation of contributions by the builder and by the city. After hearing the neighbors, Mr. Vangele, Mr. Storms and Mr. Alvord review the site plans, he urged the Committee to vote on it so it can be passed on to the Council for their vote.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Mr. Alvord said that if other residents in the area now understand the project, he urged them to speak during the public speaking portion of the Common Council meeting. Mr. Alvarez suggested that they put the points in writing. Mr. Alvord said he would offer the easement document and the tax map. He said that to provide financial information, in some kind of formula, to answer anyone’s questions, would be a major task. If the proposal is withdrawn, and the street goes back to being used as a right-of-way, it would not be good for the City.

APPROVALS/AUTHORIZATIONS

1. Approve the Minutes from the Public Works Committee meeting of Tuesday, September 5, 2006.

** MR. HEMPSTEAD MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM THE PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE MEETING OF TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2006.

The corrections to the minutes are as follows:

On page 4, 5th paragraph, and throughout the document, change “Ms. Stranini” to “Ms. Straniti”.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

2. Approve the Minutes from the Special Public Works Committee Meeting of Thursday, September 21, 2006.

** MR. PORUBAN MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM THE SPECIAL PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE MEETING OF THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2006.

The corrections to the minutes are as follows:

On page 1, the following should be added after “Mr. Krummel opened the meeting at 7:05 p.m. noting there was not a quorum present.” “The meeting was called to consider the two items that the Council returned to the Committee.”

On page 1, after APPROVALS/AUTHORIZATIONS, 1st paragraph, the 2nd sentence should read “The neighbors have expressed concern about the paving proposed on Lawn Street.”

On page 1, at the bottom, it should read “Page 1 of 2.”

On page 1, under APPROVALS/AUTHORIZATIONS, 5th paragraph, the 2nd sentence should read “He said that the neighborhood will become a salt only snow route.”

On page 1, under APPROVALS/AUTHORIZATIONS, 5th paragraph, the 3rd sentence that reads “When the salt melts it will run into the saltmarsh.” should be deleted.

On page 2, under 2b, Account No., the second account number should read 09 06 4021 5777 C0351 ($33,013).

** MOTION PASSED WITH THREE (3) VOTES IN FAVOR (KRUMMEL, PORUBAN, HEMPSTEAD) AND ONE (1) VOTE ABSTAINED (STRANITI).

4. Technical Corrections from Common Council approvals on September 12, 2006:
Original Approval:

a. Authorize the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia, to execute an Agreement with URS, Inc., to provide design consulting services in connection with the Westmere Avenue Bridge Over Farm Creek for a sum not to exceed $11,118 (20% of the approved design fees of $55,590).

Account No. 0904 4021 5777 C0306

b. Authorize the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia, to execute an Agreement with URS, Inc., to provide design consulting services in connection with the James Street Bridge Over the Silvermine River for a sum not to exceed $39,070 (20% of the approved design fees of $195,350).

Account No. 0906 4071 5777 C0350

c. Authorize the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia, to execute an Agreement with URS, Inc., to provide design consulting services in connection with the Perry Avenue Bridge Over the Norwalk River for a sum not to exceed $50,616 (20% of the approved design fees of $253,079).

Account No. 0906 4071 5777 C0350

Change to:

a. Authorize the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia, to execute an Agreement with URS, Inc., to provide design consulting services in connection with the Westmere Avenue Bridge Over Farms Creek for a sum not to exceed $74,215 which includes $57,490 for design fees, $11,725 for maximum direct costs and $5,000 for extra work. (20% of the total amount shall be paid by the City of Norwalk, account number 0904 4021 5777 C0306; 80% of the total amount shall be funded through a grant from the State of Connecticut, Federal Local Bridge Program, F.A.P. No. BHZ -6102(4), State of Connecticut Project No. 102-315, Rehabilitation of Bridge No. 04440).

b. Authorize the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia, to execute an Agreement with URS, Inc., to provide design consulting services in connection with the James Street Bridge Over the Silvermine River for a sum not to exceed $195,350 which includes $172,880 for design fees, $5,400 for maximum direct costs and $17,070 for extra work. (20% of the total amount shall be paid by the City of Norwalk, Account No. 0906 4071 5777 C0350; 80% of the total shall be funded through a grant from the State of Connecticut, Federal Local Bridge Program, and F.A.P. No. BHZ-6102(12), State of Connecticut Project No. 102-320, Rehabilitation of Bridge No. 04989).

c. Authorize the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia, to execute an Agreement with URS, Inc., to provide design consulting services in connection with the Perry Avenue Bridge Over the Norwalk River for a sum not to exceed $253,079. (20% of the total amount shall be paid by the City of Norwalk, Account No. 0906 4071 5777 C0350; 805 of the total amount shall be funded through a grant from the State of Connecticut, Federal Local Bridge Program, F.A.P. No. BHZ-6102(__), State of Connecticut Project No. 102-___.

** MS. STRANITI MOVED ITEMS 4A, B, AND C.

Mr. Krummel explained that he had a phone conversation with Mr. Alvord today about this, and the changes are shown on page 2 of the agenda. The design fee is higher than the original Council approved motion, $57,490 vs. $55, 590. The city portion, (20%) is of the total, not just the design fee alone.

Mr. Alvord said they were all allowable costs allowed by the DOT. He suggested that the word “technical” be removed from Item 4. He said that under Item A, the spelling should be corrected to “Over Farm Creek Road”, not “Over Farms Creek Road”. He said they have received new item documentation from the DOT since the original items were sent to the Council. The final numbers that the DOT is willing to provide under the plan include all allowable costs and all direct costs. The Law Department wanted to clarify that a contract will be written to URS for the full $74,215 and make it clear that 20% of that $74,215 will be paid by the city, and 80% of the $74,215 will be paid by the DOT.

Mr. Alvord said that under Item C, the Perry Avenue Bridge Over the Norwalk River project does not have the final documentation finalized with the DOT yet. The DOT originally was going to have a two-lane bridge replace a two-lane bridge. He said that the plan to the DOT to ease traffic congestion near CVS would be to increase from two lanes to three lanes.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

5. Authorize the Purchasing Agent to purchase Storm Water Inlet Filters from Transpo Industries, Inc., in connection with the National Fish and Wildlife Grant Project, for a sum not to exceed $30,000.

Account No. 0907 4071 5777 C087

** MR. PORUBAN MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE PURCHASING AGENT TO PURCHASE STORM WATER INLET FILTERS FROM TRANSPO INDUSTRIES, INC., IN CONNECTION WITH THE NATIONAL FISH AND WILDLIFE GRANT PROJECT, FOR A SUM NOT TO EXCEED $30,000.

Mr. Alvord said this is another grant from the Fish and Wildlife Service specifically for expanding the program. They will be using a different manufacturer for the filter inserts, which he said are outstanding and work very well.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

6. Request a Special Appropriation to the Board of Estimate and Taxation in the amount of $50,000 to Amend the Agreement with Municipal Information Systems to provide Technical Consulting services in connection with the Customer Service/Asset Management System.

** MS. STRANITI MOVED TO REQUEST A SPECIAL APPROPRIATION TO THE BOARD OF ESTIMATE AND TAXATION IN THE AMOUNT OF $50,000 TO AMEND THE AGREEMENT WITH MUNICIPAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL CONSULTING SERVICES IN CONNECTION WITH THE CUSTOMER SERVICE/ASSET MANAGEMENT SYSTEM.

Some discussion took place about the amount of time and effort that needs to put into the computer problems and technical support, which takes away from other responsibilities that are vital to the department. It was mentioned that there was a contract in place with MIS for the installation and first year support until City Works was up and running. In the request for this year’s operating budget, they knew they would have this support requirement and requested it. It got cut out of the budget process. Over time, it should be reduced once the critical mass gets going. After more discussion, it was agreed that the wording of the motion should be amended.

Amendment:

** MS. STRANITI MOVED TO DIRECT THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS TO REQUEST A SPECIAL APPROPRIATION TO THE BOARD OF ESTIMATE AND TAXATION IN THE AMOUNT OF $50,000 TO AMEND THE AGREEMENT WITH MUNICIPAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL CONSULTING SERVICES IN CONNECTION WITH THE CUSTOMER SERVICE/ASSET MANAGEMENT SYSTEM.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

7. Authorize the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia, to execute an Amendment to the Agreement with Kohler Rohan, LLC, to provide additional scope of services at the Public Works Center in connection with the garage fire suppression system, for a sum not to exceed $3,000.

Account No. 0907 4071 5777 C0387

** MR. HEMPSTEAD MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR, RICHARD A. MOCCIA, TO EXECUTE AN AMENDMENT TO THE AGREEMENT WITH KOHLER ROHAN, LLC, TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SCOPE OF SERVICES AT THE PUBLIC WORKS CENTER IN CONNECTION WITH THE GARAGE FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM, FOR A SUM NOT TO EXCEED $3,000.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

8a. Authorize the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia, to execute an Agreement with Darien Asphalt Paving, Inc., for Project No. 20065-1, Norwalk Landfill, Additional Landfill Cap, for a sum not to exceed $255,869.

8b. Authorize the Director of Public Works to issue Orders on Contract to Darien Asphalt, Inc., for Project No. DPW 2006-1, Norwalk Landfill, Additional Landfill Cap, for a sum not to exceed $25,000.

Account No. SA 01-02
DECD Project No. 2003103001

** MS. STRANITI MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR, RICHARD A. MOCCIA, TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH DARIEN ASPHALT PAVING, INC., FOR PROJECT NO. 20065-1, NORWALK LANDFILL, ADDITIONAL LANDFILL CAP, FOR A SUM NOT TO EXCEED $255,869.

** MS. STRANITI MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS TO ISSUE ORDERS ON CONTRACT TO DARIEN ASPHALT, INC., FOR PROJECT NO. DPW 2006-1, NORWALK LANDFILL, ADDITIONAL LANDFILL CAP, FOR A SUM NOT TO EXCEED $25,000.

Mr. Alvord explained that the landfill was closed in 1979 and capped in 1991. The city needs a certificate of closure in order to build the proposed park at Oyster Shell. The landfill would be graded, recapped, and have grass planted on top of it. Ms. Straniti noticed the word “paving” was omitted from Item 8b.

Amendment:

** MS. STRANITI MOVED TO AMEND THE WORDING ON ITEM 8B, TO READ AS FOLLOWS: DARIEN ASPHALT PAVING, INC.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

DISCUSSION (CONT’D)

The discussion section of the agenda continued from where they left off earlier in the meeting. The WPCA and the Parking Authority projects were included on the list because they are under Mr. Alvord’s responsibilities and staff.

Mr. Poruban asked to suspend the rules to discuss the topic of the $250,000 being defunded from the Maritime Ticket Office. He said that $150,000 went to the SoNo Lighting project, and he would like to try to obtain the other $100,000 for an increase in the general drainage studies or wherever it could be utilized. Mr. Alvord said it is capital money, and it would have to go through a reauthorization process. He said that he will check on the status of this for the next meeting.

10. Operations Division Report

a. Personnel

1. Superintendent of Operations Interviews

Ms. Bardon said they will have interviews tomorrow for two candidates for the Superintendent of Operations. They will interview another candidate next Tuesday.

2. Fleet Services Manager

Ms. Bardon said that there is one change to the job description, and that is the position is no longer appointed by the Mayor and doesn’t report to the Director of Public Works. The position will now report to the Superintendent of Operations. This approval will be before the Public Works Committee next month.

b. Equipment

c. Other

OTHER

11. Guidance to Director of Public Works on administration of potential contract with Creative Outdoor Advertising of America, Inc.

Mr. Alvord explained that some clarification was needed regarding the potential contract with Creative Outdoor Advertising of America, Inc., with reference to the trash receptacles having ad copy on them at all locations, and who would be responsible for emptying the receptacles during the year. Much discussion took place, including positive references from customers, and it was decided that this would be brought back to the individual caucuses for review and clarification.

12. Status of Solid Waste consultant RFQ and related matters.

Mr. Alvord explained that they have shortlisted three firms, RW Beck, Malcolm Pirnie, and SCA. The interviews will be scheduled shortly.

13. Status of Public Power consultant RFQ and related matters.

14. US Forest Service Visit – October 18, 2006.

15. Action on any item discussed herein.

16. Next Public Works Committee Meeting:

Tuesday, November 6, 2006
Public Works Library, Room 225, Norwalk City Hall

It was decided that the meeting would be moved to Wednesday, November 8, 2006.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 10:45 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Carolyn Marr
Telesco Secretarial Services

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