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| Public Works
Committee Actions |
OCTOBER 2, 2007
ATTENDANCE: William Krummel, Chair; Kevin Poruban, Douglas Hempstead,
Fred Bondi (7:40 p.m.); Kelly Straniti (8:15 p.m.)
STAFF: Hal Alvord, Public Works Director; Richard Linnartz, Principal
Engineer; Lisa Bardon, DPW Operations Manager
OTHERS: Diane Cece, Larry Ruttenberg, Diane Lauricella
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Krummel called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m.
PUBLIC INPUT
Let it be noted that the following comments and remarks by all speakers have been summarized and are not necessarily verbatim.
Ms. Cece said that she wished it to be noted that no one wished to address the Committee in the minutes. Chairman Krummel replied that he believed it was noted in the minutes when there was no one who wished to address the Committee.
Mr. Hempstead suggested that Chairman Krummel move to the Discussion Items
at this time.
DISCUSSION
8. Engineering Division Report
a. Projects - See attached project status sheet.
Mr. Alvord submitted his updated status sheet on the various projects to the Committee. Chairman Krummel asked how people were being alerted to the work that will be done on the Silvermine Bridge. Mr. Linnartz replied that there were signs posted about the bridge being out along with detour signs from Main Avenue, Perry Avenue and also posted in New Canaan and Wilton. Announcements will be in the paper. Mr. Alvord said that Ms. Grant had emailed all the members of NASH and the Silvermine Homeowners Association has also notified their members.
Mr. Poruban asked if there were concerns regarding URS considering they had been involved in the Deutsch Bank building demolition by the World Trade Center. The building caught on fire during the tear down process. Mr. Alvord replied the URS was doing the design and engineering for the James Street bridge and the Perry Avenue bridge over the Norwalk River. Mr. Linnartz commented that URS’s construction management and their project management is completely separate from the engineering division.
Mr. Krummel asked Mr. Linnartz how long the work on the Perry Avenue would take. Mr. Linnartz replied that the contractor expects to complete the work by early December. Mr. Alvord said that the residents had been told that the contractor was authorized to complete the job in 120 days, but that the contractor believed that he could complete it in a significantly shorter period of time.
Mr. Bondi joined the meeting at 7:40 p.m.
Mr. Krummel asked if there was anything further on the Reed Street Extension bridge bonding issue. Mr. Alvord said that the Governor and the legislature were in discussion about the matter.
Mr. Alvord said that the DECD has questioned the Redevelopment Agency about why the City did not select the lowest bidder for the Reed Street Extension bridge. Mr. Alvord said that he had asked Mr. Burritt to send DPW’s memo explaining their recommendation about their concerns to the DECD.
Mr. Alvord said that there had been a meeting with Foxboro Condominium Association
last week. After reviewing all the line items and the history of the project,
Mr. Alvord said that Foxboro is not interested in paying the City. It was agreed
that Mr. Alvord would send the Association a close out letter confirming that
the project is completed and the Association will take that to Mr. Duff to ask
for State money to cover the cost of $62,807.00. A discussion then followed
about the City’s role in the project. Mr. Alvord said that legally that the
City has a contract with Foxboro that is crystal clear and states that any deficit
Foxboro is obligated to cover. Mr. Alvord then reviewed the history of the $50,000
grant that had been issued to the City and then recalled.
APPROVALS/AUTHORIZATIONS
1. Approve the Minutes from the Public Works Committee meeting of Tuesday, September 4, 2007.
** MR. BONDI MOVED THE MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 4, 2007
Please note the following corrections:
Page 4, paragraph 2, line 1: please change the following from “which involves
creating a
tunnel underneath the railroad tracks to connect” to “which involves constructing
a bridge to carry the railroad tracks to connect”
Page 4, please add the following paragraph between paragraph 2 and paragraph 3:
“Mr. Alvord warned that the low bidder could potentially initiate legal
action. He also informed the committee that the DPW staff had met
with the low bidder to give them the opportunity to more fully explain
their qualifications, experience and capacity to do the job.”
** THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 4, 2007 AS AMENDED PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
2. Authorize the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia, to execute an Amendment to the Agreement with Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc., for Engineering Design Services in connection with the Washington Street and Water Street Traffic Intersection Improvement Project, Phase I, State Project No. 102-326, for a sum not to exceed $28,000. Account No. Norwalk Redevelopment Agency
** MR. PORUBAN MOVED THE ITEM.
Mr. Linnartz reviewed the project with the Committee. Redevelopment did receive some funds to redesign the sidewalks in that area, but this would not be paid for under the traffic signal program. Currently, it is very difficult to cross from the south side of the Stroffolino/Washington Street Bridge. This will reconfigure that intersection and make it more pedestrian friendly. This proposal is for the design phase only.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
3. Authorize the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia, to execute an Agreement with Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc., for Engineering Services in connection with the East Avenue Corridor Traffic Signalization Improvement Project, for a sum not to exceed $35,000. Account No. 09 07 4120 5777 C0397
** MR. PORUBAN MOVED THE ITEM.
Mr. Linnartz reviewed project, which includes installing new controllers in the existing systems. This would improve the responsiveness of the signals. Although the signals are traffic responsive now, the technology is from 1994. This will upgrade nine of the signals on the East Avenue corridor. Mr. Krummel had some questions about the details of the controllers. One of the comments was that if traffic flows well on East Avenue, there is less traffic on Strawberry Hill. A discussion about the unique traffic problems associated with the Interstate 95 on and off ramps at East Avenue followed.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
4. Authorize the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia, to execute an Amendment to the Agreement with Barkun and Mess to provide Professional Engineering Services, in connection with the Design of the Belden Avenue Traffic Signal Improvement Project, for a sum not to exceed $3,600. Account No. 0140 30 5258
** MR. BONDI MOVED THE ITEM.
Mr. Hempstead said for the record that there was no conflict with this issue.
Mr. Linnartz said that the intersection of Cross Street and Belden Avenue was included in the City’s West Avenue Corridor Study. Mr. Linnartz said that the City was working with the Avalon Bay developer, who is putting up two office buildings. Mr. Linnartz confirmed that they were doing the commercial development in that area and have agreed to construct all the road widening associated with that project area. This will result with two left turn lanes going east on Route 1 and two right turn lanes going west on Route 1. The city will design and construct the signal modifications. The extra funds are a result of DOT’s review. DOT wants the City to widen the northbound Route 7 entrance ramp. The City is paying for the redesign of that intersection. A discussion about this then followed.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
5. Authorize the Purchasing Agent to issue a Purchase Order to Terzian Trucking for the procurement of sand for a delivered price of $24.58 per normal hours and $26.58 per ton after hours. Account No. 0140 25 5322
7. Authorize the Purchasing Agent to issue a Purchase Order to Morton Salt for
the procurement of untreated road salt for a delivered price of $60.87 per ton.
Account No. 0140 25 5322
** MR. BONDI MOVED AGENDA ITEMS #5 & #7
Mr. Alvord said that the Committee has approved proposals like this in previous years based on staff recommendations. Ms. Bardon reviewed the details of these decisions. Ms. Bardon said that the staff was still waiting for the quotes on the treated salt (Agenda #6) to arrive. They are expected to arrive on October 4, 2007.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
6. Authorize the Purchasing Agent to issue a Purchase Order to _________________ for the procurement of treated road salt for a delivered price of $__.__ per ton. (bid opening 10/4/07) Account No. 0140 25 5322
** MR. HEMPSTEAD MOVED THAT THE CHAIRMAN PLACE THE FOLLOWING ITEM ON THE AGENDA FOR THE NEXT COMMON COUNCIL MEETING:
AUTHORIZE THE PURCHASING AGENT TO ISSUE A PURCHASE ORDER TO _________________ FOR THE PROCUREMENT OF TREATED ROAD SALT FOR A DELIVERED PRICE OF $__.__ PER TON. (BID OPENING 10/4/07) ACCOUNT NO. 0140 25 5322
Mr. Alvord said that he expected all the bids to be in on Thursday and would email the results to the Committee members.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
DISCUSSION – CONT’D
8. Engineering Division Report
a. Projects - See attached project status sheet.
Chairman Krummel asked about the Silvermine embankment project. Mr. Alvord explained that it was being handled with the bridge. Mr. Linnartz added that it would be done at a separate time to lessen the impact on traffic.
The discussion then moved to Building Management. Mr. Poruban asked about the Public Works Center. Mr. Alvord said that the only item that was approved for this year was installing bollards next to the garage bay doors. Ms. Bardon said that DPW would have to come back with a special appropriation for the leaking roof.
Chairman Krummel then asked about the former police station and said that he thought that the City had received EPA approval. Mr. Alvord replied that the City had received the approval. He then reviewed the details of the EPA report and informed the Committee that the report had been released to The Advocate under an FOI request. It will cost $700,000 to remediate the site just for the environment aspect. The demolition design has not yet been done.
Chairman Krummel pointed out the storm water drainage work schedule was included in the packet.
Chairman Krummel asked what the status was on the state pilot program. Mr. Alvord replied that Ms. Bardon had submitted an application on September 14, 2007. Now the State Bond Commission needs to authorize the Clean Water Funding. Mr. Alvord said that he felt the City was in good shape because the application was complete, met all the requirements and submitted on time.
Mr. Alvord said that the Bouton Street culvert had been flushed today. He said that Metro North had removed the tires from the culvert, but that was all they had removed. When the culvert was flushed today, railroad ties, concrete blocks, 2 x 4’s, boulders and assorted debris came out. MacVac has been more than cooperative on this project.
Mr. Linnartz reviewed the details regarding the work on Meadow Street because of the Office of Long Island Sound. This is due to the fact that the area is a tidal marsh and silted in. Eventually, this area will have to be cleaned out. Mr. Linnartz said that he believe there was about four feet of sediment.
The discussion then turned to Calf Pasture Road, where the existing culvert is slowly collapsing. Mr. Linnartz said that the road has settled down about a foot.
Mr. Hempstead has a question about the projects for Noah’s Lane, Mary Austin and Meadowbrook. Mr. Linnartz said that it will cost about $50,000 per project for the design and that most of it would be done in-house over the winter. It will be part of the Capital Budget and hopefully the bids will go out in the spring.
Chairman Krummel asked for the paving schedule for 2008. Mr. Alvord said that he would have that for the next meeting.
Mr. Hempstead said that he had a concern about the angled spaces behind Gasoline in the Webster Street parking lot not being the proper width.
Mr. Hempstead said that there was a request from the Historical Commission regarding the front steps at Mill Hill. Mr. Hempstead said there was some power washing and repointing that needs to be done on stairs that go from the street to the walkway. Mr. Hempstead asked if the City had a mason available to do the work. Mr. Alvord said that the City doesn’t have power-washing equipment and that there are only two masons on staff. The masons are busy repairing catch basins and road collapses. Mr. Alvord said that at some point, the City needs to determine how the Historical Commission is to function and how they are to get their funding. Mr. Bondi reviewed the history of previous building management system.
9. OPERATIONS DIVISION REPORT
a. Personnel
Ms. Bardon said that there were six vacancies and reviewed the various positions available. Mr. Alvord then gave a brief overview of all the delays that have been encountered trying to fill the positions. There are lifting requirements in the jobs, and therefore the applicant should demonstrate that he or she could lift. A discussion about the job requirements and the hiring procedure then followed.
b. Other
There were no additional items to discuss.
OTHER
10. Update on solid waste disposal efforts.
Mr. Alvord said that the RFP has been out since September 7th. There has been tremendous interest in it from companies all over the United States. A pre-proposal meeting was held on the 24th with a good turnout. Mr. Alvord said that there are mandatory site visits to the transfer station, which Malcolm Pirnie is scheduling.
11. Update on recycling efforts.
Mr. Alvord said that it was likely that the City would withdraw from SWEROC and execute a change to the current contract with City Carting whereby they will pay the City $15 a ton for every ton of recyclables that they collect.
12. Status of FEMA claims.
Mr. Alvord said that the City has actually started to receive money from the FEMA claims. He then reviewed the chart and explained that FEMA had accepted the claim, but not the estimated amount. FEMA reimburse 75% of what they estimate the damage to be worth. Mr. Alvord said that FEMA did not want to consider the debris dams behind the River Bend Commons, but after negotiation, they agreed to participate 50%. After FEMA’s calculations, it turns out that they will reimburse 50% of their 75% estimation. Mr. Alvord then reviewed where the FEMA funding was being allocated.
Mr. Alvord reported that there was an ACOE flood control channel south of the Norwalk River at Perry Avenue. The city employees knew about the existence of the channel north of the bridge, but no one was aware of the channel in the south. The Corp came last year and inspected the area, which is when Mr. Alvord found out about the second channel. The Corp has a repair program called Public R – 8499. An application was sent in by the City for this program. Since the City had not heard from the Corp, when FEMA was in town, the City applied for funding from them. After FEMA had allocated funding for this project, the Corp contacted the City and informed them that they were going to fix the channel. The Corp will repair the channel, but it will be done in the same manner that it was done previously, which has failed twice. Mr. Alvord said that he believes that Mr. Sweeney had convinced them to put larger rip rap on the banks of that section. However, Mr. Alvord said that he’s concerned that unless the rip rap is extended another fifty to seventy five feet upstream, the project will fail again because of the configuration of the channel and the high velocity of the water. Under 8499, the Corp cannot make any improvements to the channel; they can only repair the damage that was done. Mr. Alvord said that the strategy was to have the Corp repair what they will repair and then use the FEMA funds to extend the project fifty to seventy five feet upstream.
Ms. Lauricella said that adding heavier rip rap along the side of a river was indeed better. She then said that perhaps those in town who had professional expertise could offer their altruistic observations. She stated that stretch was a target for restoring the area and not continuing the mistakes that were made in the past. She then spoke about various aspects of the environmental problem in that section of the river.
13. ACTION ON ANY ITEM DISCUSSED HEREIN.
There was no additional actions to be taken on any items.
14. NEXT PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE MEETING:
The next meeting of the Public Works Committee is scheduled for Monday, November 5, 2007 because Tuesday November 6 is Election Day. The meeting will be held at Public Works Library, Room 225 of Norwalk City Hall.
ADJOURNMENT
** MR. BONDI MOVED TO ADJOURN.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
The meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon L. Soltes
Telesco Secretarial Service
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