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| Public Works
Committee Actions |
DECEMBER 7, 2004
ATTENDANCE: Kevin Poruban, Chairman; Bill Krummel; Fred Bondi; Carvin Hilliard.
STAFF: Hal Alvord, Director; Dick Linnartz.
OTHERS: Lisa Bardon; Ralph Kolb; Councilmember Betsy Bain.
The meeting was called to order at 7:40 p.m. by the Chairman.
APPROVE THE MINUTES DATED NOVEMBER 1, 2004
The following correction was made: On page 1, last paragraph, “United States Department of Environmental Protection” was corrected to “USDA”.
** MR. BONDI MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES AS CORRECTED.
** MOTION PASSED WITH ONE ABSTENTION (MR. HILLIARD).
SCHEDULE A PUBLIC HEARING TO RENAME AND RENUMBER A PORTION OF STYLES LANE TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2005
** MR. BONDI MOVED.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
AUTHORIZE THE MODIFICATION OF DECLARATION OF RESTRICTION FOR STEPHEN L. O’SULLIVAN AND PEGGY M. O’SULLIVAN IN CONNECTION WITH THEIR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 7 SAMMIS STREET, NORWALK, CT
Mr. Linnartz said this is a P&Z referral and he reviewed the map of the proposal. The proposal is to shift the footpath to the south and build a driveway parallel to that. There is a deed restriction placing the driveway onto Farm Creek Road, which is why this is before the Committee.
Mrs. Bain asked if there is a deed restriction that the driveway has to go off of Farm Creek. Maria Genovese, Andreopolis Design Associates, said that the owners own lots 37 and 38. There is a deed restriction if the street ever open up again, they have to go before this Committee. They will put in a five foot buffer, relocate the pedestrian path to the south and put in plantings. They will not be changing the size. The major difference is that the front shifts a bit. Ink berry bushes will be put in as a hedge.
Mrs. Bain asked if there would be a public hearing for the neighbors. She said when the O’Sullivans went for a subdivision a year ago, there was concern. The property is right on Farm Creed and there was concern about building a house so close to the creek. Ms. Genovese said this had been approved. Mrs. Bain said that the deed restriction should be a reason for a public hearing. Ms. Genovese said this is between the owner and the town. Mr. Linnartz said that the next forum would be the Council meeting. Ms. Bain said there are rumors that the owner is taking ownership of the right of way; Mr. Linnartz said that was not the case. This does not change citizen access to the walkway.
Mr. Bondi asked if denial would stop the project. Mr. Linnartz said that is up to the Law Department.
Mr. Krummel asked how far the residence is from the mean high water line; Ms. Genovese said that one portion is 15 feet away. Mr. Krummel said he is aware of how the community feels about the Farm Creek bridge. The approach along Sammis Street is of concern, so he was pleased to hear that plantings would be installed.
Ms. Bain said that her constituents are concerned about any development that brings it close to the wetlands.
Ms. Genovese said that the neighbors across the street and next door have provided letters of support.
** MR. BONDI MOVED TO APPROVE THE MODIFICATION OF DECLARATION OF RESTRICTION
AS REQUESTED.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
AUTHORIZE THE PURCHASING AGENT TO PURCHASE A LARGE FORMAT PRINTER/SCANNER FROM HP DIRECT FOR A SUM NOT TO EXCEED $4,500 INCLUDING $1140 FOR TONER CARTRIDGE REPLACEMENT ACCOUNT NO. 09 03 4031 5777 C0037
Mr. Alvord reviewed and recommended this request.
** MR. HILLIARD MOVED APPROVAL.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
DISCUSSION
INTRODUCTION OF OPERATIONS MANAGER AND WASTEWATER SYSTEM MANAGER
Mr. Alvord introduced Ms. Bardon, Operations Manager, who started yesterday. She will be responsible for everything that happens within the street. Mr. Alvord next introduced Mr. Kolb, the Wastewater Systems Manager, who started on November 15th.
Discussion took place on an after-hours wastewater problem that a resident encountered. There was a very good response.
STATUS OF EFFORTS TO ADDRESS FLOODING AND DRAINAGE ISSUES
The Chairman said that at the October meeting, the Committee wanted to send out RFQs for various drainage issues. Mr. Alvord said that the 2005-06 budget has $120,000 for a consultant to address these issues, which cannot be handled in-house. If the budget is approved, it would be effective as of July 1st.
A resident said this is an ongoing problem. Mr. Alvord said they can’t put Noah’s Lane to the top of the list because there are other problems such as this throughout the city. The best thing is to bring on a consultant. In response to a question from this resident, Mr. Alvord said that approval to do the actual work would then probably take another budget cycle.
Another resident showed photos of the water coming into her driveway. The closest storm drain is on Flax Hill Road. She said that she cannot sustain this for two more cycles. She has spoken to Mr. Martin of Grumman Engineering, who came up with a plan to pump the water underground through a pipe to the Flax Hill Road storm drain. They would like the City to help them either with labor or piping.
In response to a question from Mr. Bondi, Mr. Linnartz said that the plan put forth by Mr. Martin is a solution, but not the best one. This is a stop-gap measure.
Mr. Alvord said that he and Mr. Linnartz have to look at what the City might do to participate, the cost and time will also be an issue. There are no plans to put catch drains on Scribner Avenue.
The Chairman said this issue should remain open on the agenda every month. He asked Judy to come back with a preliminary estimate for the work on Scribner Avenue.
** MR. BONDI MOVED TO SUSPEND THE RULES TO ADD AN ITEM TO THE AGENDA.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
RUSSO – WINFIELD STREET
Mr. Linnartz said that Attorney Rigeo asked to attend tonight regarding the Russo issue. Attorney Rigeo said that at the July meeting, there was a motion made to reimburse the Russos $16,276.25, subject to Law Department review. This motion passed unanimously. She has heard nothing from Corporation Counsel and nothing has happened.
Mr. Linnartz said nothing has been heard from the Law Department. Mr. Bondi said he had information this was a barter situation. The client bartered with the person who did the job and the job was not done properly.
Discussion took place on the procedure used for testing. Attorney Rigeo said that her client and the person hired know each other. It was not a barter situation but payment was withheld waiting to hear how the City handled it. At the July meeting, everyone felt that the client should have been reimbursed. Mr. Bondi said if he had the information he now has, he would not have voted in favor.
Mr. Alvord said the fact that the item did not go to the Common Council tells him that the Corporation Counsel did not concur with the committee’s decision.
The Chairman requested that the department obtain formal correspondence from the Law Department.
SNOW REMOVAL POLICY AND PLANNING/ADVERTISING EFFORTS
Mr. Alvord said they are making a more concerted effort to get residents to work with the City on its snow plan. Notification will be on Channel 79. The biggest obstruction is cars on the street.
Mr. Alvord reviewed the snow removal policy. They will work with IT to get the snow removal routes on the City’s web site. He reviewed the procedure to be followed in the case of a snow emergency.
PROGRESS ON BOARD STREET BRIDGE PROJECT
Mr. Alvord said this project is moving very well, and he reviewed the work that has been performed. The contractor is doing a very nice job. The work is scheduled to be completed in June, but Mr. Alvord said he thought it would be completed earlier.
Discussion took place on the problem of appliances being dumped on the street.
DEPARTMENT GOALS
Mr. Alvord reviewed the department goals and their effect upon zero-based budgeting. He also reviewed the organizational chart needed to accomplish their goals.
Mr. Bondi said he opposed adding parks maintenance to this department.
OPERATING BUDGET FY 05-06/CAPITAL BUDGET STATUS REPORT
Mr. Alvord briefly reviewed the Capital request.
In response to a question from Mr. Bondi, Mr. Alvord said they are not taking advantage of all of the grants they are eligible for because they don’t have the staff to apply for these grants. Mr. Hilliard asked if a good grants writer would pay for himself and Mr. Alvord responded affirmatively. Mr. Bondi said that the City has a grants writer.
Mr. Linnartz said, with their limited resources, they will probably obtain $7,000,000 in grants over the next few years.
Mr. Alvord next reviewed the five-year fleet replacement plan, pointing out the need for an epoxy roadway striping truck.
In going over the 4R plan for the next five years, discussion took place on the position of various streets on the list.
Mr. Alvord said that the two customer service positions are being advertised. He also spoke of the fact that certain positions are not in the grade they should be in; reclassification requests will be submitted after the first of the year.
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE MEETING SCHEDULE FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2005
The Chairman asked Mr. Alvord to check to make sure that the date of the December meeting does not fall on Chanukah and that the November meeting does not fall on Election Day.
** MR. BONDI MOVED TO ADJOURN.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cheryl Telesco
Telesco Secretarial Services
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