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| Public Works
Committee Actions |
PUBLIC HEARING AND REGULAR MEETING
AUGUST 7, 2007
ATTENDANCE: William Krummel, Chairman; Fred Bondi
STAFF: Hal Alvord, Public Works Director;
Lisa Bardon, DPW Operations Manager; Dick Linnartz,
DPW Principal Engineer, Jose Lopez, DPW Roads
Supervisor
OTHERS: Larry Ruttenberg, Buckingham Place; Brian Stobbie,
Marshall Street; Amar Shamas, Gilbane Project Manager; Ted Coppola, Olmstead
Place; Donna Rostocky, Olmstead
Place; Dee Arnone, Olmstead Place; Margaret Peterson,
Gwendolyn Street
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Krummel called the meeting to order at 7:33 p.m.
PUBLIC HEARING
Chairman Krummel called the Public Hearing of Necessity on the abandonment/discontinuance
of Putnam Avenue – South (between Reed Street and Pine Street Extension) pursuant
to Section 5.6 of the Land Disposition and Development Agreement by and among
the City of Norwalk, the Norwalk Redevelopment Agency and 95/7 Ventures, LLC
to order at 7:33 p.m.
Chairman Krummel asked if there was anyone from the public present that wished to speak for or against the abandonment/discontinuance of Putnam Avenue – South (between Reed Street and Pine Street Extension) pursuant to Section 5.6 of the Land Disposition and Development Agreement.
Ms. Peterson, who resides on Gwendolyn Street, asked for an explanation of the proposed action, Mr. Linnartz then displayed two maps of the area and indicated where the proposed abandonment of the street was located and gave an overview as to why this was being done.
Following this explanation, Chairman Krummel asked if there was anyone else from the public present that wished to speak for or against the abandonment/discontinuance of Putnam Avenue – South (between Reed Street and Pine Street Extension) pursuant to Section 5.6 of the Land Disposition and Development Agreement. He then repeated the request. Hearing none, Chairman Krummel closed the public hearing on the abandonment/discontinuance of Putnam Avenue – South (between Reed Street and Pine Street Extension) pursuant to Section 5.6 of the Land Disposition and Development Agreement at 7:37 p.m.
PUBLIC INPUT
Chairman Krummel then announced that there was not a quorum present and therefore all the action items on the agenda would be forwarded to the Common Council for approval.
Mr. Bondi commented that there was a large pothole on the East Avenue bridge over Interstate 95 at Exit 16. Ms. Bardon noted down the location and said that she would call the State about it.
Mr. Coppola, of 35 Olmstead Place, then asked about the progress of the storm water management project. Ms. Bardon stated that McVac would be starting work on August 24th.
Mr. Coppola then asked about the letter from Atty. Nolin to ConnDotRail. Mr. Alvord gave a brief overview of a recent meeting with some of the ConnDotRail employees and said that ConnDotRail was accepting responsibility for the Fitch Street culvert. He also said that MetroNorth would be responsible for cleaning out the culvert and would most likely contract the work out.
Mr. Arnone, who resides at 39 Olmstead Place, had several questions about what the residents could do to hasten the process. Mr. Alvord explained why the City could not work on the Fitch Street Culvert and added that the Bouton Street culvert had been cleared. He said that the City had verified that the work on Bouton Street had been done.
Mr. Coppola then asked about vault access to the Fitch Street area. Mr. Alvord replied that there was a manhole in the sidewalk at Fitch Street.
Ms. Rostocky said that she had been told by some of the people working on the Fitch Pond project that there was a major redesigning of the pond underway. Mr. Linnartz explained that the workers that she had spoken with were surveyors and that the actual designs had not been done at this time. He then reviewed the details of the planned project with the group.
Mr. Arnone said that while the residents were only homeowners, he was uncomfortable with the project. He then asked what would happen if the proposed project did not work. Mr. Linnartz then reviewed the plans for the project with Mr. Arnone and stated that he had worked for the City of Norwalk for 12 years. Mr. Linnartz said that the flooding problems started about six years ago.
Chairman Krummel said that the Committee had reviewed this issue in depth and it was time to move the meeting forward to other business.
Ms. Peterson asked about the status of the Westport Avenue project. Mr. Alvord said that he would be glad to schedule a meeting to review the status of all the various projects at another time. This was acceptable to all.
Chairman Krummel then closed the Public Input portion of the agenda at 8:00 p.m.
Chairman Krummel said that he had spoken with Council Member Douglas Sutton, the Chairman of the Land Use and Building Management Committee about Agenda Items 10a, 10b, and 11. These items will be referred to the Common Council for approval by Chairman Sutton.
INTRODUCTION
Mr. Alvord introduced Mr. Lopez, the newly selected DPW Roads Supervisor, to the Commission members.
APPROVALS/AUTHORIZATIONS
1. Approve the Minutes from the Public Works Committee meeting of Tuesday June
5, 2007.
2. Approve the Minutes from the Special Public Works Committee meeting of Tuesday June 26, 2007.
3. Approve the Minutes from the Special Public Works Committee meeting of Monday July 9, 2007.
Chairman Krummel then announced that Agenda Items #1, #2 and #3 would be deferred to a later date when a quorum was present.
4. Approve the Necessity and Appoint Freeholders on the abandonment/ discontinuance of Putnam Avenue – South (between Reed Street and Pine Street Extension) pursuant to Section 5.6 of the Land Disposition and Development Agreement by and among the City of Norwalk, the Norwalk Redevelopment Agency and 95/7 Ventures, LLC.
Chairman Krummel announced that Agenda Item #4 would be referred to the Common Council for approval.
5. Schedule a Public Hearing to hear the Freeholder’s Report for the abandonment/discontinuance of a portion of Putnam Avenue – South (between Reed Street and Pine Street Extension) pursuant to Section 5.6 of the Land Disposition Agreement by and among the City of Norwalk, the Norwalk Redevelopment Agency and 95/7 Ventures, LLC: and to hear all parties interested in relation to the acceptance of such report. The Public Hearing will be held on Tuesday, September 4, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. in the Department of Public Works Library, Room 225, 2nd Floor in Norwalk City Hall, 125 East Avenue, Norwalk, Ct.
Chairman Krummel announced that Agenda Item #5 would be referred to the Common Council for approval.
6. Approve the Extension of the Fourth Taxing District to incorporate properties connected to the Sanitary Sewer System.
Mr. Linnartz reviewed the details of this proposed extension. Chairman Krummel had several questions regarding the fee structure, which Mr. Linnartz explained.
Chairman Krummel announced that Agenda Item #6 would be referred to the Common Council for approval.
7. Authorize the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia, to execute an Agreement with Almstead Tree and Shrub Care Co., for Project No. 2542, Tree Removal and Trimming Services for a term of one year with two one year extensions, for a sum not to exceed $150,000 for FY 2007-08. Account No. 0140 29 5298
Mr. Alvord reviewed the responses for the request for bids on Tree Removal and Trimming Services. He then recommended that Almstead be awarded the contract and outlined his reasons why.
Chairman Krummel announced that Agenda Item #7 would be referred to the Common Council for approval.
8. Authorize the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia, to execute an Agreement with Hi-Way
Safety Systems for Project RD 2007-1, Proposed Painted Pavement Markings &
Legends at Various Locations & Schools, for a sum not to exceed $191,205.00.
Account No. 0908 4021 5777 C0021
Chairman Krummel had some questions about the terminology of the bid proposal which included the schools. Mr. Alvord said that the contract will not include the schools and that the phrase “& Schools” would be removed from the proposal.
Chairman Krummel announced that Agenda Item #8 would be referred to the Common Council for approval.
9. Authorize the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia, to execute a Release/Quit Claim regarding the abandonment of Putnam Avenue North pursuant to Section 5.6 of the Land Disposition Agreement by and among the City of Norwalk, the Redevelopment Agency and 95/7 Ventures, LLC.
Chairman Krummel announced that Agenda Item #9 would be referred to the Common Council for approval.
10a. Authorize the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia, to execute a contract with William B. Meyer, Inc. for providing moving services for the Norwalk High School Project for a total not to exceed $ 62,140.00. (Referred from Land Use & Building Management Committee)
10b. Authorize the NFCC to issue change orders on contract for a total not to exceed $6,200.00” (Referred from Land Use & Building Management Committee) Acct No. 0904-5010-5777-B0310
11. Authorize the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia, to execute an amendment to Silver/ Petrucelli and Associates, Inc. architectural/engineering design services contract for the Roton Middle School Project, in order to increase the current hazardous material monitoring allowance by $17,000.00 for additional monitoring services associated with the abatement phase for the project. (Referred from Land Use & Building Management Committee) Acct No. 0904-5010-5777-B0312
Chairman Krummel said that he had spoken with Council Member Douglas Sutton, the Chairman of the Land Use and Building Management Committee about Agenda Items 10a, 10b, and 11. These items will be referred to the Common Council for approval by Chairman Sutton.
12. Authorize extension of retainage agreement with Holland and Knight, for a sum not to exceed $100,000. Account No. 01 0000 2275
Mr. Alvord reviewed the details of the retainage agreement with the Committee and gave his recommendations for this action.
Chairman Krummel announced that Agenda Item #12 would be referred to the Common Council for approval.
13. Authorized the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia, to execute any and all documents with State of Connecticut - Department of Public Utility Control (DPUC), Connecticut Light & Power (CL&P) and Independent System Operator-New England (ISO-New England) necessary to apply for, receive and implement energy grants/incentives relating to the installation of an emergency generator at Norwalk City Hall.
Mr. Alvord reviewed the back up material with the Committee and gave a quick overview of the proposal.
Chairman Krummel announced that Agenda Item #13 would be referred to the Common Council for approval.
14. Authorize the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia, to execute an Amendment to the Agreement with Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc., to provide additional design scope for the mast arm design in connection with the Main and Wall Area, for a sum not to exceed $3,240. Account No. 0902 4021 5777 C0232
Mr. Linnartz reviewed the situation and explained that the State is requiring twin mast arms for the traffic signals. Chairman Krummel requested that the proposal be reworded as follows:
14. Authorize the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia, to execute an Amendment to the Agreement with Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc., to provide additional design scope for the traffic signal mast arm design in connection with the Main and Wall Intersection, for a sum not to exceed $3,240. Account No. 0902 4021 5777 C0232
This was agreeable to all. Chairman Krummel announced that Agenda Item #13 as reworded would be referred to the Common Council for approval.
There were three other items that had been scheduled to be added to the agenda via suspension of the rules. Mr. Alvord reviewed the details of each of the projects. Chairman Krummel said that he would forward the following three agenda items to the Common Council for approval due to the fact that there was not a quorum present at the meeting:
Authorize the Director of Public Works to issue Orders on Contracts to Deering Construction Company for Project 4R 2007-1, Proposed 4R Pavement Management Program, for a sum not to exceed $450,000 and to extend the contract completion date to December 31, 2007. Account No. 0908 4021 5777 C0021.
Authorize the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia, to execute any and all documents necessary to withdraw the City of Norwalk from the Southwest Connecticut Regional Recycling Operating Committee (SWEROC).
Authorize the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia to execute an agreement with Malcolm Pirnie, Inc. for the development of a Storm Water Management Plan for a sum not to exceed $400,000 [$100,000 in current FY capital budget; remainder from Clean Water Fund grant pursuant to Connecticut Stormwater Authority Pilot Program]. Account No. 0908 4027 5777 C0425
OTHER
15. Board of Education bid.
Mr. Alvord reviewed the events leading up to the City winning the bid proposal of $17,000 for restriping the school parking lots. Since then, a meeting has been held with the Mayor and Dr. Corda, during which it was stated that the Board of Education did not have $17,000 for the project. Mayor Moccia has stated that he will find the money somewhere in the City budget for the project.
Mr. Bondi left the meeting at 8:50 p.m.
17. Discussion of potential abandonment of a portion of Grandview Avenue.
Mr. Linnartz gave a very brief overview of proposal to sell a small sliver of land that the City still owns after the removal of a traffic island on Grandview Avenue. The property owner is interested in acquiring it because it would allow him to combine his current property with the additional parcel and then subdivide the lot. The property owner and his attorney were not present at the meeting. Mr. Linnartz said that he was looking for a sense of the Committee on this proposal.
18. Appointment of new/additional Freeholders.
Mr. Linnartz said that the listing of Freeholders was not sufficient for all the recent activity and that new names were needed. He then outlined the qualifications for the position.
22. Next Public Works Committee Meeting:
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Public Works Library, Room 225, Norwalk City Hall
ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Krummel then adjourned the meeting at 8:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted
Sharon L. Soltes
Telesco Secretarial Service
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