March 8, 2005
NORWALK, CONNECTICUT 8:00PM EST, COUNCIL CHAMBERS
ALL COMMON COUNCIL ACTIONS TAKEN AT THIS MEETING TO APPROVE EXPENDITURES AND CONTRACTS OR TO ACCEPT BIDS AND OTHER PROPOSALS REQUIRING THE EXPENDITURE OF CITY FUNDS ARE SUBJECT TO THE AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS.

The Regular meeting of the Common Council of the City of Norwalk was held on Tuesday, March 8, 2005 in the Common Council chambers, City Hall, 125 East Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut. The Mayor, Alex A. Knopp, called the meeting to order at 8:06 p.m. and led the Assembly into the Pledge of Allegiance.

I. ROLL CALL

Betsy Bain (8:10 p.m.) Bruce Kimmel
Kenneth Baker Richard McQuaid (absent)
Fred Bondi Matthew Miklave
Michael Coffey (8:14 p.m.) Jeanette Olmstead-Sawyer
Carvin Hilliard (8:14 p.m.) Kevin Poruban
Douglas Hempstead (absent) Douglas Sutton
William Krummel Peter Wein
Leona Williams (absent)

There were nine (9) Councilmembers present at Roll Call.


II. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES

A. REGULAR MEETING - February 22, 2005

** MR. KRUMMEL MOVED TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES AS AMENDED

The following correction was made to the minutes:
Page 2: correct reappointment to resignation

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
(note see page 3)

III. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Mr. John Lombardi, spoke against approving item EI (Finance Committee).

Ms. Bain arrived at 8:10 p.m.

IV. MAYOR

A. RESIGNATIONS AND APPOINTMENTS

Reappointments: Thomas Aikenhead, Lawrence Andronaco, Jane Walters- Oak
Hills Authority
John Atkin, James McInerney-Water Pollution Control Authority

** MR. KRUMMEL MOVED TO REAPPOINT THOMAS AIKENHEAD TO THE OAK HILLS AUTHORITY

Mr. Krummel said that he was very proud to re-appoint him and proud that there is a person like him in the community.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

** MR. BONDI MOVED TO REAPPOINT LAWRENCE ANDRONACO TO THE OAK HILLS AUTHORITY
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

** MS. BAIN MOVED TO REAPPOINT JANE WALTERS TO THE OAK HILLS AUTHORITY
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

** MR. KIMMEL MOVED TO REAPPOINT JOHN ATKIN TO THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY

Mr. Kimmel said that Mr. Atkin has done an excellent job and is extremely knowledgeable.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

** MR. BONDI MOVED TO REAPPOINT JAMES McINERNEY TO THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY

Mr. Bondi said that Mr. McInerney has done an outstanding job on the Authority.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

Appointment: Rev. Jeffrey Ingraham; Cesar Ramirez, Fair Housing Advisory Commission

** MR. HILLIARD MOVED TO APPOINT REV. INGRAHAM TO THE FAIR HOUSING ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Mr. Hilliard said that Reverend. Ingraham was a very capable person and this is a great appointment for the Committee.

Ms. Olmstead-Sawyer agreed and said that he will be a calming influence on the organization.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

** MS. BAIN MOVED TO APPOINT CESAR RAMIREZ TO THE FAIR HOUSING ADVISORY COMMISSION
** MOTION PASSED WITH ONE (1) ABSTENTION (MR. HILLIARD)

B. REMARKS

In light of the weather, the Mayor said he did not have any remarks.
V. COUNCIL PRESIDENT

Mr. Bondi had a question about the minutes on page 6.

** MR. BONDI MOVED TO RECONSIDER APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

** MR. BONDI MOVED TO TABLE THE MINUTES FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

A. CONSENT CALENDAR

Mr. Bondi thanked everyone for coming out in this terrible weather.

** MR. BONDI MOVED THE FOLLOWING CONSENT CALENDAR:

VI. REPORTS: DEPARTMENT, BOARD AND COMMISSIONS

B. NORWALK FACILITIES CONSTRUCTION COMMISSION

1. Authorize the Mayor, Alex A. Knopp, to execute an amendment to RCC Consultant's agreement for Consulting Services relating to the new City telephone system, to provide additional services for a total not to exceed $22,750.00. Brien McMahon High School Capital Acct. #0902/03/04 4031 5777 C0137 ($11,375.00) and Police Station Capital Acct. #0901/02/03 4031

2. Authorize the Mayor, Alex A. Knopp, to execute an amendment to Schoenhardt Architects for structural investigation, engineering, and design work related to certain uncovered structural conditions at the SoNo Library for an amount not to exceed $9,350.00 Acct. # 0900/03/04/05 6210-5777-C0153

C. CORPORATION COUNSEL EXECUTIVE SESSION

1. Authorization to settle claim: TW, Inc. v. City of Norwalk

VII. COMMON COUNCIL COMMITTEES

A. PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE

1. Authorize the Mayor, Alex A. Knopp, to execute an Amendment to the Agreement with Safety
Markings for Project No. RD 2003, Proposed Painted Pavement Markings and Legends at Various Locations and Schools, for fiscal year 2004-05 for a sum not to exceed $46,000. Acct. # 01 4023-5269

2. Authorize the Mayor, Alex A. Knopp, to execute an Amendment to the Agreement with D.W. Transport and Leasing, Inc. to provide transportation of Yard Waste Material for a sum not to exceed $1,167,766. The Amendment to the Agreement is for three years beginning January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2008. Acct. # 01 4042-5299

3. Authorize the Mayor, Alex A. Knopp, to execute an Agreement with Fuss & O'Neill to evaluate the possibility of installing a traffic signal or other safety measures at the mid block pedestrian crossing on Stevens Street as requested by the Norwalk Hospital, for a sum not to exceed $3,600, shared equally with the Norwalk Hospital. Acct # 01 40 30 5258

B. RECREATION AND PARKS & CULTURAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

1. Approve the Fees & Charges for 2005

C. LAND USE AND BUILDING MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

1a. Authorize the Mayor, Alex A. Knopp, to execute a contract with New England Energy Controls, Inc. for the Norwalk City Hall - Energy Efficiency Measures project for a total not to exceed $ 139,492.00.Various Capital Accounts in accordance with Special Appropriation approval.

1b. Authorize the Office of Building Management to issue change orders on Contract for a total not to exceed $1,198.00

D. PLANNING COMMITTEE

1. Approve the enclosed resolution and authorization permitting the Mayor, Alex A. Knopp, to execute any documents associated with the Preserve America Designation application.

F. PUBLIC SAFETY & EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS COMMITTEE

1. Authorize the Police Department to purchase a new Ford Explorer to be used in enforcement activities with Asset Forfeiture Funds for the amount of $26,903.44. Acct. # 0300002660

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

C. OTHER GENERAL COUNCIL BUSINESS

There was none.

VI. REPORTS: DEPARTMENT, BOARD AND COMMISSIONS

A. BOARD OF ESTIMATE AND TAXATION

** MR. KIMMEL MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE FOLLOWING ITEMS

1. Authorize the reduction of $25, 000 of Capital Budget Appropriation for feasibility study (Project Acct. # 09036210-5777-C0273)

2. Authorize the reduction of $13,799 of Capital Budget Appropriation for Library roofing project (Project Acct. # 09036210-5777-C0274

3. Authorize appropriating $64,436 for the Library Circulation Desk Project (Project Acct. # 09016210-5777-C0201 and Acct. # 09026210-5777-C0221

Mr. Bondi said that he will vote no on these items because he feels the cost for the desk is astronomical.

Mr. Kimmel said that the bids came in higher than expected, but after review, the Building Department felt that was the best deal they could get. Although this is expensive, the Circulation Desk is the heart and soul of the Library.

Mayor Knopp added that this will make the Circulation Desk handicap accessible.

** MOTION PASSED WITH ONE (1) VOTE IN OPPOSITION

Mayor Knopp congratulated Mr. Coffey on the birth of his child.

VII. COMMON COUNCIL COMMITTEES

D. PLANNING COMMITTEE

** MR. MIKLAVE MOVED TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING ITEM

1. Approve M. F. DiScala & Company Inc. as the designated developer for Wall Street Redevelopment Parcel 3 in general accordance with the proposal entitled Parcel 3 Redevelopment Wall Street Redevelopment Project dated December 3, 2004.

Mr. Miklave said that he was pleased to present the preferred developer for parcel three (Head of the Harbor). He said that this is the next step in the long overdue development of Wall Street.

Mr. Coffey said that he would support this, but in the future will not support funding private developers with City funds.

Mr. Bondi said that this will be an asset to the area.

Mr. Krummel said that he hopes the historic site on Mill Hill will be taken into account.

Mayor Knopp said that the revitalization of Wall Street has been a number one initiative of this administration.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

** MR. MIKLAVE MOVED TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING ITEMS

3. Approve the "Construction Plans" for Maritime Yards as prepared by Beinfield Architecture, dated September 2, 2004, and prepared in accordance with Section 301 of the Development Agreement.

4. Approve the Reed Putnam Urban Renewal Plan - Development Parcel 3 _ Proposed Amendments in accordance with CGS 8-136.

5. Approve the "Maritime Yards Affordable Housing Plan" dated December 29, 2004 (as rev. Feb. 10, 2005).

Mr. Kimmel said that what the City promised is coming true.

Mayor Knopp thanked the Redevelopment Agency. He said that one of the good signs in Norwalk is that different administrations approved these projects, from Mayor Collins, Mayor O’Connor, back to Mayor Collins, Mayor Esposito and to himself. Mayor Knopp thanked Mr. Miklave for his leadership on the Planning Committee.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

Mr. Kimmel thanked the Mayor and said that he was glad that the Common Council members made every effort to get here tonight. He thanked the Mayor for his offer of help with transportation.

E. FINANCE COMMITTEE

** MR. KIMMEL MOVED TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING ITEM

1. WHEREAS, Section I-289 of the Norwalk Charter requires that a majority of the Common Council vote to establish a specific spending limitation on locally funded expenditures during the process of establishing the next fiscal year's operating budget.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWALK THAT:

The maximum limit on total appropriations for the City of Norwalk for Fiscal Year beginning July 1, 2005 shall be no more than $218,030,753. This appropriations cap represents total expenditures of $234,992,070 less estimated intergovernmental grants of $16,961,317. This cap amount is an increase of $11,533,272 over the initial placeholder cap established on January 25, 2005.

Mr. Kimmel commended everyone for their efforts in creating the budget. The impression created is that the Board of Education budget was accepted without any cuts. Last year and this year, the Board of Education’s budget was cut substantially. The surplus was used for textbooks; it was not just handed back. Mr. Kimmel pointed out that the budget recommendation from the Board of Estimate and Taxation was adopted unanimously.

Mr. Kimmel said that a lot has been said about the fund balance. He said that he believes this is the highest fund balance in many years.

Mr. Coffey said that this budget reflects the lowest increase in the region. He said that they need to be vigilant in keeping taxes affordable. Affordable government enables affordable housing.

Ms. Olmstead-Sawyer expressed concern about funding for Youth Services and said that she will be listening carefully to what the Board of Estimate and Taxation will do. Mayor Knopp said that he gave his word that it will be done.

Mayor Knopp commended Tom Hamilton and Ann Twomey for their exceptional work on the budget.

Mayor Knopp explained that under the Charter there is no discretion about canceling the fist Common Council meeting of the month, but he can do that for the second meeting of the month. He said that the offer of transportation was offered to all Common Council members.

** MOTION PASSED WITH ONE (1) ABSTENTION (MR. WEIN)

E. FINANCE COMMITTEE

This resolution requires a two-thirds affirmative vote of the Council.

Be it further resolved that the result of this vote and resolution, together with the attached 2005-06 Budget Guide, be forwarded by the Clerk of the City of Norwalk to the Board of Estimate and Taxation.
ADOPTED BY MAJORITY

VOTE: 11 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstention

VI. RESOLUTIONS FROM COMMON COUNCIL

There were none.

VII. MOTIONS POSTPONED TO A SPECIFIC DATE

There were none

X. SUSPENSION OF THE RULES

There were none.

XI. ADJOURNMENT

** MR. COFFEY MOVED TO ADJOURN
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

The meeting was adjourned at 9:25 p.m.

ATTEST:_________________________________