|
|
|
| Public Works
Committee Actions |
FEBRUARY 6, 2007
ATTENDANCE: William Krummell, Chairman; Kevin Poruban;
Carvin Hillard; Kelly Straniti; Douglas Hempstead
Fred Bondi
STAFF: Hal Alvord, Director of Public Works; Lisa Bardon, Operations Manager; Richard Linnartz, Principal Engineer
OTHERS: Louis Schulman, Norwalk Transit District Administrator;
Nancy Carroll, Norwalk Transit Deputy Administrator
CALL TO ORDER
The Chairman called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m.
PUBLIC HEARING
Public Hearing of Necessity for the Abandonment of a Portion of Putnam Avenue
in connection with the Reed Putnam Redevelopment Project at 7:30 PM.
Mr. Krummel stated that there would not be a Public Hearing this evening. It
will be held in March in order to hear the Freeholder’s Report.
PUBLIC INPUT
There was no public input.
APPROVALS/AUTHORIZATIONS
1. Approve the Necessity for the Abandonment of a Portion of Putnam Avenue
in connection with the Reed Putnam Redevelopment Project.
2. Authorize the initiation of eminent domain/condemnation proceedings for purposes of obtaining an easement for the Norwalk Transit District Pulse Point Improvement Project on Burnell Boulevard. [approved at January 2 PWC meeting for Council agenda on January 23. Transit District now
City of Norwalk
Public Works Committee
February 6, 2007
Page 1 of 1
requests placement on February 13 agenda. PWC-requested backup information provided.]
Louis Schulman of the Norwalk Transit District stated that Nancy Carroll would attend the Common Council meeting on February 13th because he was going to be out of town. He stated that one month ago the Committee was asked to consider moving to Council the taking of an easement on Burnell Boulevard to expand the Pulse Point. He pointed out the easement location on a map. He stated that they will put a canopy with seating where the current bus stop is located and also security cameras. He reported that the security system will be hooked up to software so that when it sees a threatening anomaly, the alarm will go off in the Police Department. He explained that the easement will not adversely affect the property owner’s rights and he had hoped it would not become necessary, however so far the property owner’s have not been willing to sit at the table with them. He felt that this would put pressure on them so that they would be willing to talk. Mr. Schulman stated that the redevelopment of the Pulse Point was the Transit District’s most important project and is listed as a necessary and desirable project in the City’s plan of development. In addition, he reported the bulk of the land was expected to be part of the proposed Avalon Bay project. He noted that Avalon Bay also supported this project and has expressed no objection to the easement.
Mr. Hempstead arrived at 7:50 p.m. Mr. Bondi arrived at 7:53 p.m.
Mr. Krummel stated that Council was very sensitive to the use of eminent domain and he anticipates that when Council is presented with this case they will ask why and what is the use being planned. He said that is why they were asked to come back this evening. Mr. Schulman stated that it was public taking for public use. Mr. Hillard asked Mr. Schulman if they wrote the owner a letter and was he was now communicating through their attorney. Mr. Schulman replied that the first communication began five to six months ago. He reported that the Transit District attorney sent a letter for an easement to the owner on November 14, 2006. Their attorney had not responded until last week when he said that he was willing to work with them. Mr. Hillard asked for a timeframe of the project and Mr. Schulman replied that once they have control of the property he would like to break ground by next fall. Mr. Schulman also reported that if they do not begin to spend the money they have already secured for the project, it may revert back to the funding sources. Mr. Alvord asked if the project could be done without an easement and Mr. Schulman replied it could not. He said they also needed to have control of the property before doing a design.
Mr. Krummel stated that no formal action would be taken this evening. He wished Nancy Carroll good luck in her meeting with Common Council on February 13th.
City of Norwalk
Public Works Committee
February 6, 2007
Page 2 of 2
3. Approve the Minutes from the Public Works Committee meeting of Tuesday December
5, 2006.
The following changes were made to the minutes:
Pg. 1: Staff: Change to: Principal
The Committee requested that, in the future, the page numbers be shown as Page
1 of 1, Page 2 of 2, etc.
** MR. PORUBAN MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE DECEMBER 5, 2006 MEETING
AS AMENDED.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
4. Approve the minutes from the Public Works Committee meeting of Tuesday
January 2, 2007.
The following changes were made to the minutes:
Pg. 1: Public Hearing: Second paragraph: Add to the end of the second sentence: to be abandoned.
Pg. 3: 4) Change to: APPROVE THE EXECUTION OF A FORCE ACCOUNT
Pg. 4: Last paragraph: First sentence: Change to Mr. Schulman explained
Pg. 5: First paragraph: Sixth sentence: Change to Mr. Schulman said that
Pg. 5: First paragraph: Last sentence: Change to: Mr. Schulman said that when Avalon takes over the property, they have indicated that they will cede the easement over to the City.
** MR. BONDI MOVED TO APROVE THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF JANUARY 2, 2007
AS AMENDED.
** THE MOTION PASSEDED WITH FIVE IN FAVOR AND ONE ABSENTION (MR. HILLARD).
5. Authorize the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia, to execute an amendment to the
contract with Almstead Tree and Shrub Care, Inc. for tree trimming and
removal for a sum not to exceed $259,200. [Returned to Committee by Common Council
at January 9 meeting]
Account No. 014029 5298 (pending special appropriation)
City of Norwalk
Public Works Committee
February 6, 2007
Page 3 of 3
Chairman Krummel stated that this was sent back from Common Council because
the money has not been appropriated yet by the Board of Estimate and Taxation.
** MR. HEMPSTEAD MOVED TO SEND ITEM #5 BACK TO THE COMMON COUNCIL BASED ON
INFORMATION THAT THE BOARD OF ESTIMATE AND TAXATION IS MEETING ON FEBRUARY 12TH
AND THAT THEY WILL APPROVE THE REQUEST.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
6. Authorize the Purchasing Agent to a execute a Purchase Order to Interstate
Ford Truck Sales, Inc. for the purchase of two (2) Sterling L8500 snow plow
trucks for a sum not to exceed $270,974.
Account No. 0906 4010 5777 C0313
The Committee reviewed the list of three bids received from vendors. Interstate
Ford Truck Sales was the lowest bidder.
** MR. PORUBAN MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE PURCHASING AGENT TO EXECUTE A PURCHASE
ORDER TO INTERSTATE FORD TRUCK SALES, INC. FOR THE PURCHASE OF TWO (2) STERLING
L8500 SNOW PLOW TRUCKS FOR A SUM NOT TO EXCEED $270,974.
ACCOUNT NO. 0906 4010 5777 C0313
** MOTION APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY.
7. Authorize the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia, to execute an Agreement with the
State of Connecticut Department of Transportation and any and all documents
for Project No. 102-278, Interstate 95 Southbound Widening and Interchange 14
Improvement Project. Costs incurred with this project by the City of Norwalk
are
100% reimbursable by the State of Connecticut.
8. Authorize the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia, to execute an Agreement with H.W.
Lochner for Design and Coordination Services in connection with the 1-95 Widening
and Interchange l4lmprovementProject(State Project No. 102-278) for a sum not
to exceed $63,687.32.
Account No. TBD
** MR. HILLARD MOVED ITEMS 7 AND 8 TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR, RICHARD A. MOCCIA, TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND ANY AND ALL DOCUMENTS FOR
City of Norwalk
Public Works Committee
February 6, 2007
Page 4 of 4
PROJECT NO. 102-278, INTERSTATE 95 SOUTHBOUND WIDENING AND INTERCHANGE 14 IMPROVEMENT
PROJECT. COSTS INCURRED WITH THIS PROJECT BY THE CITY OF NORWALK ARE 100% REIMBURSABLE
BY THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT AND
TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR, RICHARD A. MOCCIA, TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH H.W.
LOCHNER FOR DESIGN AND COORDINATION SERVICES IN CONNECTION WITH THE 1-95 WIDENING
AND INTERCHANGE L4LMPROVEMENTPROJECT(STATE PROJECT NO. 102-278) FOR A SUM NOT
TO EXCEED $63,687.32.
ACCOUNT NO. TBD
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
DISCUSSION
9. Engineering Division Report
a. Projects
1) See attached project status sheet.
Mr. Bondi asked about the Foxboro grant money that was given to them for the traffic signal. Mr. Alvord reported that Foxboro owes the City $35,000. Mr. Bondi said that, in the meantime, work needs to be done on Mill Hill and he would call Bob Duff.
Mr. Krummel asked about the Perry Avenue retaining wall. Mr. Linnartz stated that the design has been included in the Perry Avenue bridge project that will go out to bid the end of February. Work will begin in June.
Mr. Poruban asked if the paving contract is out to bid again. Mr. Linnarz reported that the bid package went out in January. Mr. Poruban also asked if funds could be moved from paving to flooding. Mr. Alvord stated that the City would have to approve it, although staff would not recommend such an approach.
Mr. Krummel asked what was going on with the Strawberry Hill calming. Mr. Linnarz reported that the project will be combined with the “Safe Routes to School” project and an RFQ will be needed.
Mr. Krummel asked if the report from the flood consultant was received. Mr. Alvord reported that he and Mr. Linnartz sat down with Tighe and Bond to arrive at the capital budget for ’07-08. He said they gave them five reports to date.
City of Norwalk
Public Works Committee
February 6, 2007
Page 5 of 5
b. Other
10. Operations Division Report
a. Personnel
1) Superintendent of Operations
Mr. Alvord reported that they made an offer to Chris Okafor to be the Superintendent
of Operations and he accepted. He said he received very good references from
the Town of Dartmouth and will be in to talk about a start date.
2) Fleet Services Manager
Mr. Alvord reported that they had 38 applications which had been short listed
down to 4. He said he has not chosen a date for interviews yet because he would
like to have Chris Okafor, the new Superintendent of Operations, to be part
of the interview process because this position will be a direct report to him.
b. Solid Waste
1) Transfer station condition
Mr. Alvord reported that they executed a contract with Holland & Knight
to assist in identifying and negotiating future MSW transfer station operations,
hauling and disposal options. He stated that as result of an inspection of the
transfer station, a list of improvements was sent to the CRRA to comply with
Section 3 of the lease.
2) New Haven delivery against Norwalk MAC
Mr. Alvord reported that they are trying to work with New Haven to save $50,000
a year.
City of Norwalk
Public Works Committee
February 6, 2007
Page 6 of 6
3) Options development
Ms. Bardon reported that Greenwich, Darien, Wilton, Weston and New Canaan have
agreed to participate and share in the costs for an RFP seeking firms experienced
in solid waste management hauling and disposal options. Mr. Alvord stated that
the consultant will then do a presentation in March with the options.
c. Other
OTHER
11. Status of selection process for public power consultant.
Mr. Alvord reported that the RFQ was issued and they have had responses from four firms that were all qualified and had the experience they were looking for. He stated that the next step was that the Committee needed a budget.
12. Draft agreement for infrastructure support services to Norwalk public schools.
Mr. Alvord stated that he talked to Sal Corda about the agreement and sent it to the Mayor. If the Committee agreed, he would send it to Mr. Corda. The Committee concurred that they supported the Agreement between the Norwalk public schools and the Department of Public Works. Mr. Alvord stated that he would send it out to Sal Corda by the end of the week.
13. Action on any item discussed herein.
There was no action taken on any items.
14. Next Public Works Committee Meeting:
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Public Works Library, Room 225, Norwalk City Hall
City of Norwalk
Public Works Committee
February 6, 2007
Page 7 of 7
AJOURNMENT
** MR. BONDI MOVED TO ADJOURN.
** THE MOTION WAS PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Donna DeVito
Telesco Secretarial Services
 |
 |