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RECREATION,
PARKS & CULTURAL AFFAIRS COUNCIL COMMITTEE MINUTES |
JANUARY 17, 2007
ATTENDANCE: Fred Bondi, Chairman; Herb Grant; Rick McQuaid.
STAFF: Michael Mocciae, Director.
PUBLIC HEARING ON CONSERVATION EASEMENT FOR HARTE PROPERTY
The Chairman convened the Public Hearing at 7:35 p.m.
Marni Smith, President of the Norwalk Land Trust, read a prepared statement in favor of the conservation easement.
The Chairman said that this committee has no plans now to do anything to this property, which they want the Land Trust to oversee.
Seeley Hubbard, a member of the Norwalk Land Trust, thanked the committee for this hearing and spoke in favor. He said that the easement is needed to preserve the natural resources on this peninsula and to maintain their vision for a nature preserve on 16 acres, which includes this property.
Pam Davis, a member of the Norwalk Land Trust, thanked the neighbors and the Council and spoke in favor of the conservation easement. This is the one place where they can observe nature close up. It will be the one nature preserve in Norwalk.
Grace Lichtenstein said what this committee is trying to do is exciting and thanked Mr. Mocciae for his support.
Phil Roberts said that the committee obviously wanted to do this and it is the right thing to do.
Dick Packer said his father had been an ornithologist and a conservationist, and this parcel should be preserved.
Richard Alexander spoke in support and applauded the Council for its actions.
Richard Pertz also spoke in support of the conservation easement.
Nancy Hakon, a resident since 1936, also spoke in support.
Julie Burton, 14 Sunwyck Road, said that a nature preserve would be a tremendous asset to the City.
Pete Scull, co-Chair of the Campaign for Farm Creek Preserve, said that the Hart peninsula must be preserved in its natural state.
Ed Hines spoke in support of the conservation easement and emphasized that there are a lot of places where all of the public can observe birds and other wildlife.
Marilyn Deraney, Farm Creek Road, said that she and her neighbors strongly praise this action to help this land survive in its natural state.
The Chairman said this would go to the Planning Commission and then to the full Council for a vote. He thanked the Land Trust for putting this together and asked everyone to get behind the Land Trust in fundraising for the property next to the Hart property, which is very important and is key.
Councilwoman Gwen Briggs thanked the committee for their actions.
The Chairman noted that the following e-mail statement had been received from Diane Lauricella:
"diane lauriceUa" <dlauricella24@yahoo.com>
"Ired bondi" <fabondl@optonline.net>
<ricksly56@yahoo.com>; "PHYWS BOLDEN" _pybolden@yahoo.com>;
"michael coffey" <mwjava@aol.com>; "herb grant" <hgrant813@aol.com>;
<jtromano@optonline.ne1> Wednesday, January 17,20076:33 PM
Recreation and Parks Committee/ Hart Property 1/17/07
Sent: Subject:'
Chairman Bondi and Members of the Recreation and Parks Committee : Norwalk:
Common Council
Norwalk: City Hall
It is with great pleasure, pride and enthusiasm that the Norwalk League of Women Voters endorses the proposal noted in tonight's agenda, Item 5 _b and c. .
The plan to assign a Conservation Easement to the Norwalk Land Trust for the parcel adjacent to the Hart Property will go a long way in preserving a valuable habitat for generations to come. When that habitat also plays an important role in preserving water quality of Long Island Sound the value of tonight's vote increases in importance.
The Norwalk League of Women Voters has long advocated for conservation of open space but also the means for ongoing maintenance of those spaces.
At this time we would like to offer our assistance in identifying other parcels owned by the City that may also be candidates for conservation easements. This could be accomplished with the participation . of the Conservation Commission, Land Use and Building Management Committee and related staff.
..
Thank you and congratulations on this wise land use choice.
Sincerely.
Diane Lauricella President Norwalk LWV
Note: Since I am also the Stewardship Co-Chair of the Norwalk: Land Trust, I look forward to working with the City to manage the easement in an effective and productive manner. Thank you for your cooperation. .
** MR. MCQUAID MOVED TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
The public hearing was closed at 8 p.m.
ROLL CALL
The meeting was called to order at 8:05 p.m. by the Chairman. It was noted that there was not a quorum present.
MINUTES OF DECEMBER 20, 2006
Due to the lack of a quorum, no action was taken.
OLD BUSINESS
1. Approve the use of parking in Witch Park by Shakespeare on the Sound for
their Annual event in Pinkney Park to be held from Friday, June 15,2007 through
Sunday, July 1,2007.
Parking for 75 vehicles each evening. .
Mr. Vanderbilt and Sherry Burton were present.
Mr. McQuaid said that last year, there were over 100 cars although it had been approved for 75. The parking is destroying the park; there cannot be more than 75 cars. Ms. Burton said that, in the past, they had volunteers for the parking lots. They will now stay throughout the evening so that they can cut off the parking at 75. If she has to be there personally, she will be.
Mr. Grant said they hoped there would be chaperones along with members of the Brien McMahon Marching Band. Ms. Burton said that parents would be participating as well.
The Chairman said that the recommendation from the Director is that there be 30 cars and a $1,000 bond for damage to the park. They want to decrease usage of this land by cutting out the church and the selling of Christmas Trees. Neighbors objected to this land being used as a parking lot. He suggested that Rowayton School and/or Roton School be used for extra parking and a shuttle bus be used if necessary. McMahon High School and t he community center can also be used for parking.
Lisa Grant said that she and her husband would help with restoration of the property in exchange for advertising in the brochure. Mr. Mocciae said that a bond would still be required.
Tammy Langlois, Rowayton, asked if the developer is stopping the use of land in Rowayton because he wants to develop this land. She said that the majority of residents support using this land for parking. The pressure is coming from a limited source. Mr. Mocciae said many people were present for tonight’s public hearing. A park is not a parking lot. The grass is damaged. Thirty cars minimizes the impact of those two weeks on this property.
Mr. McQuaid said he took offense at the comment that there is a hidden agenda. He would like to see 50 cars allowed to park.
Mrs. Briggs pointed out that the Rowayton parking situation has changed in the past year. She thought they were going to keep it as it was this year to see what influence the new parking would have. Mr. Mocciae said they should agree to pre-planning for parking.
Mr. Vanderbilt said t hey have been aggressively looking for parking solutions and have found some.
The Chairman said they are compromising, noting the elimination of parking
for the church and for the sale of Christmas trees. He will pass this on to
the Council with the recommendation of 50 cars and a $1,000 bond. He noted that
if there are any more than 50 cars, the parking will be shut down. This will
go to the Council on January 23rd.
2. Authorize the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia to enter into an agreement with the
Veterinary Oncology and Hematology Center for Smokey's Day to be held in Taylor
Farm on Sunday, September 16, 2007 from 11 :30 AM - 4:00 PM. Estimated attendance
400. Set-up to take place on Saturday, September 15, 2007 after 1 :00 PM and
break down on Monday, September 17, 2007 before 12:00 PM.
Mary Shaw was present. This item will go the Council.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Authorize the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia to enter into an agreement between the City of Norwalk and Flotilla 72 Corporation, a/ka United States Coast Guard Auxiliary's use of Calf Pasture Beach for the Coast Guard Auxiliary operations, for a term of 2 years from the 1st day of October 2006 through September 30, 2008.
Joe Logan, President, was present. Discussion took place on water meter charges, which will be the responsibility of Flotilla 72.
2. Authorize the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia to enter into an agreement with DMG
and Associates, LLC, Jazz Production for the use of Veterans Park for the Norwalk
Annual Jazz Festival to be held on Saturday, June 23, 2007 with a rain date
of Sunday, June 24,2007. Estimated attendance 10,000+. Set up to take place
Wednesday, June 20, 2007 and tear down by Tuesday, June 26, 2007 12:00 noon.
Mr. Grant recused himself from this item and left the room.
Brenda Grant was present.
Mr. McQuaid said it was wonderful that a jazz festival has been brought back to Norwalk. The Chairman said he hoped they could get the amphitheatre up and running. He spoke to Lou Schulman of the Norwalk Transit District, which will run a shuttle from the Webster lot or the parking garage.
Mr. Grant returned to the meeting.
3. Review of 2007 Department recommendations for fees and charges. Schedule a public hearing on February 15, 2007 at 7:30 PM in room A300 at City Hall.
This will go to the Council and a public hearing was scheduled.
4. Technical correction (Date - additional day June 19,2007) Authorize the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia to enter into an agreement with Sea Fair "The Fire Art Yacht) to use the visitors docks in Veterans Park for a (6-day period from June 19th through June 24th, 2007) to host their Floating Art Gallery. Estimated attendance 2,000.
This item will go to the Council.
5.A.) Review proposed conservation easement for the Hart Property.
B) Refer recommendation to Planning Commission for Section 8-24 review.
C) Authorize the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia, to execute a Conservation Easement with Norwalk Land Trust, Inc. and any and all documents relating to said Easement, for city property commonly known as The Hart Property. The Conservation Easement will preserve the Property as natural open space for passive recreation and wildlife preservation
Following the public hearing, it was agreed that the Chairman would refer this
recommendation to the Planning Commission and to the Council for action.
DISCUSSION
1. Seaport Association discussion on Labor Bill from Department on Field Repair.
Present for discussion were Susan Snider, Executive Director of the Seaport Association and Carol Pote and Diane Mulvehill.
Ms. Snider reviewed the invoice they received, noting that they received a charge of $3,180, which they had not been charged in the past. They request relief because it was not budgeted for and there was no prior communication that they would be charged for this. They have shown good faith in working closer with the City (meeting on December 21st, where they had a productive discussion on improving the layout of the field). The Seaport is committed to working closer with the City to lessen the impact on the park.
Mr. McQuaid asked how labor was handled in previous years. Mr. Mocciae said it has been done in-house except for one or two times. He agreed that the meeting had been productive. It is not untypical for this to be done with other groups. The Seaport has to be more mindful of the actions of its vendors.
Mr. Grant said that, based on the constructive direction, it was hard to swallow negating the entire $3,180. Mr. Mocciae said they have not charged money for the usage of their summer program. He suggested they work out the rental fee for the Island Sheffield in an education program. Ms. Snider said that would be fine but suggested that their agreements be tightened up. Mr. Mocciae said that the $2,400 cannot be waived.
Mr. Grant suggested that the five people meet again and work together to come up with a solution.
Mr. McQuaid said this is the 30th anniversary of the Oyster Festival, and they need to move forward and work to find a landscaper who can do this work. Mr. Mocciae noted that the material is actually the high cost.
The Chairman said that, in the past, the department had someone from the Festival walk the field before and after the festival. Mr. Mocciae said that the City has been very lenient but cannot continue to do so. The Chairman said that the vendors are the culprits in causing the ruts. The Association should police it better in the future.
Ms. Snider said she agreed with the Chairman on providing an in-kind fee for the $800; the issue is that of the $3,180. Mr. Mocciae agreed and said he would meet with them to talk about possibly splitting the $3,180 or about some other compromise.
The use of a modular office space by Stepping Stones Museum. The structure would
be within their leased property.
David Sklar, Director of Finance & Operations, said Corporation Counsel had said that this requires Council approval but there is nothing in the lease that does not allow use of a modular. They don’t have enough space for employees and are considering expanding their use in the next 3-5 years. This would be 24’X24’ and used for office space. It will be pained the same color as the building and landscaped. It will be for a 3-5 year time frame and used for 10 people. The police station building is not suitable. Mr. Sklar will go before a committee of Planning & Zoning on February 8th. The modular will be on sewer, water and electric. This requires an 8-24 review and would then go to the Council on the second Tuesday in February.
The Chairman will move this to the Planning Commission for an 8-24 review.
The Chairman adjourned the meeting at 9:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cheryl Telesco
Telesco Secretarial Services
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