The regular meeting of the Common Council of the City of Norwalk was held on Tuesday, May 10, 2005, in the Common council Chambers, City Hall, 125 East Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut. The Mayor, Alex A. Knopp called the meeting to order at 8:15 p.m. and led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.

I. ROLL CALL

Betsy Bain Bruce Kimmel
Kenneth Baker Richard McQuaid
Fred Bondi Matthew Miklave
Michael Coffey Jeanette Olmstead-Sawyer
Carvin Hilliard Kevin Poruban
Douglas Hempstead Douglas Sutton
William Krummel Peter Wien
Leona Williams

There were fifteen (15) members present at Roll Call.

Mayor Knopp said that he was going to take the agenda out of order.

MAYOR

B. REMARKS

Mayor Knopp read a proclamation “Days of Remembrance of the Victims of the Holocaust May 1-May 8, 2005”

Mayor Knopp asked everyone to stand for a moment of silence in memory of the victims of the holocaust.

Mayor Knopp commented that if anyone has an opportunity to visit the Holocaust Museum in Washington, DC it would be a remarkable experience.

II. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES

A. REGULAR MEETING – APRIL 26, 2005

** MR. BONDI MOVED TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES

The following corrections were made to the minutes:

Correct the spelling of Mr. Wien’s name
Page 7, 7th paragraph, second sentence, correct he to she

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

IV. MAYOR (continued)

A. RESIGNATIONS AND APPOINTMENTS

Resignations: Steven Touger, Zoning Commission
Charles Flynn, Maritime Authority

Mayor Knopp announced the resignations of Steven Touger and Charles Flynn.

III. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Mr. Jack Chiarmonte, New York Ray’s Pizza spoke about the loitering issue. He said that he has seen the decline of groups hanging out in front of his establishment, but is still having problems. He was threatened to be “capped” on Saturday. He said that this is the second time that someone threatened to shoot him. Mr. Chiarmonte said that he feels approving outdoor dining and putting tables outside would help with the loitering.

Mr. Carl Generosa, Board member of the Town House Gardens spoke about parking issues for the residents of Town House Gardens. He said that he is looking for parking permits for the residents. Mayor Knopp said that the Parking Authority has the jurisdiction to grant parking permits and they are working on those.

A resident who was not identified, said that she has a letter from the Parking Authority and that is not what the letter says. Mayor Knopp said that he promised to get back to her as quickly as possible.
Another resident who was not identified said that he is a 25-year resident and the parking meters is discouraging.

V. COUNCIL PRESIDENT

A. CONSENT CALENDAR

** MR. BONDI MOVED THE FOLLOWING CONSENT CALENDAR

VI. REPORTS: DEPARTMENTS, BOARD AND COMMISSIONS

A. CORPORATION COUNCIL EXECUTIVE SESSION

1. Authorization to Settle Claim: Jenny Padilla v. City of Norwalk et al.

2. Authorization to Settle Claim: Ellen Taylor v. City of Norwalk, et al.

B. BOARD OF ESTIMATE AND TAXATION

1. RESOLVED, that a sum not to exceed $5,000 be and the same is hereby transferred from Contingency to the Town Clerk’s Office for an expected shortfall in the postage account due to the 2004 election and a backlog of returned mail. Acct. # 01-0500-5211

VI. REPORTS: DEPARTMENTS, BOARD AND COMMISSIONS

B. BOARD OF ESTIMATE AND TAXATION

2. RESOLVED, that a sum not to exceed $17,500 be and the same is hereby transferred from Contingency to the Fire Department to pay for a shortfall in utility accounts due to the severe winter. Acct. # 01-3153-5246

3. RESOLVED, that a sum not to exceed $235,798 be and the same is hereby transferred from Undesignated Fund Balance to the Police Department to pay for seven new police vehicles. Acct. # 01-3022-5731

4. RESOLVED, that a sum not to exceed $96,000 be and the same is hereby transferred from Undesignated Fund Balance to the Recreation and Parks Department to pay for Maintenance Vehicles. Acct. # 01-6031-5732; 01-6031-5735

5. RESOLVED, that a sum not to exceed $116,000 be and the same is hereby transferred from Undesignated Fund Balance to a Special Revenue Fund for the Summer Youth Employment Program. Acct. # 35-0190-4836

VII. COMMON COUNCIL COMMITTEES

A. PERSONNEL COMMITTEE

1. Approve a New Position: Traffic Engineer, NASA, Grade 5

B. PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE

1. Authorize the Purchasing Agent to issue a purchase order to United Rentals for a Material Screener, for a sum not to exceed $24,000. Acct. # 09 05 31 5777 C0313

2a. Authorize the Purchasing agent to issue a Purchase Orders to ESRI Inc., for the annual maintenance renewal for ESRI ArcGIS, including technical support and upgrades for the period July 14, 2005 through July 13, 2006, quote 25150247, dated April 11, 2005 for a sum not to exceed $12,505.48. Acct. # 01 06 00 5269 (ITT Department)

2b. Authorize the Purchasing Agent to issue Purchase Orders to ESRI Inc., for the annual renewal of such annual maintenance for ESRI ArcGIS, including any technical support and upgrades subject to the availability of future funding. (2a and 2b approved by ITT Committee on Wed., April 20, 2005)

3. Authorize the Mayor, Alex A. Knopp, to execute an Agreement with Almstead Tree and Shrub Care Company, for the purchase, installation and maintenance for the citywide tree program for a sum not to exceed $105,737.
Acct. #’s 0901 4021 5777 C0023 ($ 5,477)
0902/03/04 4021 5777 C0233 ($51,198)
0905 4021 5777 C0316 ($15,000)
0906 4021 5777 C0353 ($15,000)
0904 6030 5777 C0293 ($10,000)
0905 6030 5777 C0320 ($ 4,062)
0906 6030 5777 C0370 ($ 5,000)

D. PLANNING COMMITTEE

1. Approve the reprogramming and contracting of $20,000 of PY30 unprogrammed funds for the Mayor’s Office/Summer Youth Employment Program.

2a. Approve the selection and contracting of Vollmer Associates LLP of Hamden, Connecticut to undertake the development of the Central Norwalk Transportation and Pedestrian Master Plan at a cost not to exceed $149,000. Capital Budget
09050910 5777 C0332 Webster Street Traffic Study $50,000
09040910 5777 C0287 Wall Street Development $50,000
DECD 1.5/0300000-2639 Norwalk Center Municipal Plan $50,000

2b. Authorize the Mayor, Alex A. Knopp, to execute such contract.

B. OTHER GENERAL COUNCIL BUSINESS

C. PUBLIC SAFETY & EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

1. Authorization to approve the Resolution to Endorse the Pre-Disaster Mitigation Strategy
Document:
WHEREAS: Floods, hurricanes, severe winter storms and other natural disasters can cause repetitive loss of human life and property in the City of Norwalk.
WHEREAS: Mitigation reduces or eliminates long-term risk to human life and property resulting from hazards.
WHEREAS: The Pre-Disaster Mitigation Strategy Document outlines strategies and action items that reduce the impact of natural disasters in the City of Norwalk.
WHEREAS: The Pre-Disaster Mitigation Strategy Document satisfies the mitigation planning requirement of the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000.
Now therefore, be it resolved, that the City of Norwalk hereby endorses the Pre-Disaster Mitigation Strategy Document

THIS ITEM WAS TABLED TO THE NEXT MEETING

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
VIII. RESOLUTIONS FROM COMMON COUNCIL

** MS. BAIN MOVED THE FOLLOWING ITEM
2. Authorize the Purchasing Agent to issue a Purchase Order to Hi-Tech Fire & Safety to provide 97 sets of turnout gear for a sum not to exceed $144,918.00, seventy (70) per cent of funds to be provided by Federal Grant and 30 per cent for Fire Department.
Acct. # 0131205341

Ms. Bain said that this item has gone through the approval process.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

** MR. MIKLAVE MOVED THE FOLLOWING ITEMS

3. Approve the amount of $7,250,000 as the fair market value of Public Parcel #3 in the Reed Putnam Urban Renewal Project as required under the provisions of the Disposition Agreement By and Between the City of Norwalk Acting By and Through the Redevelopment Agency and Maritime Place LLC, Redeveloper (et.al) Reed Putnam Area – Development Parcels 3,5 & 6 dated March 13, 2002.

4. Authorize the Mayor, Alex A. Knopp, to execute a Quit Claim Deed transferring the City’s interest in Public Parcel #3 in the Reed Putnam Urban Renewal Project area to Maritime Place Parcel #3 LLC for redevelopment in accordance with the Disposition Agreement By and Between the City of Norwalk Acting By and Through the Redevelopment Agency and Maritime Place LLC, Redeveloper (et. al) Reed Putnam Area-Development Parcels 3, 5 & 6 dated March 13, 2002, the approved Construction Plans and related Affordable Housing Deed Restrictions, for a purchase price of $7,250,000. Such deed shall contain a reservation of rights for the benefit of the City to use a portion of the property conveyed in connection with future public improvements related to the construction of North Water Street, the Reed Street Extension and Underpass, as described in the Reed Putnam Urban Renewal Plan approved on February 10, 1998 and all amendments or revisions thereto.

Mr. Miklave said that he was pleased to move this final item forward. He said that this has been one of the most open processes for the Plan of Development in Norwalk. This Common Council has held a number of public hearings on this development. They are taking what once was a train yard and turning it into a premier residential development.

Mr. Miklave commended the staff. The original land disposition agreement called for an amount not to be less than $3.7 million. The final approval price was $7.2 million. He said that this is a great step forward for Norwalk.

Mr. Paul Jones, Chairman of the Norwalk Redevelopment Agency said that he was here to speak in favor of this item. They have been working long and hard to get to where they are today. Mayor Knopp thanked the staff. Mr. Coffey said that he would abstain from voting on this item.

Mr. Krummel commended the Planning Committee for their work on this item. They spent hours going over back up materials and he said that he admires the members of the Committee for seeing this through.

Mr. Krummel said that he is particularly please with the inclusion of affordable housing. He said that he heard that the affordable units will not be segregated from the other units, but rather spread throughout the entire development.

Mr. Hempstead asked if there will be a permanent easement. Mr. Jack Burritt, Assistant Director, Norwalk Redevelopment Agency said that there will be an easement on the northern portion of the site. Mr. Hempstead said that it is nice to see the property sold. He said that he was around when it was purchased.

Mayor Knopp thanked the Norwalk Redevelopment Agency. He noted that Mr. Burritt has been working on this project for 20 years and was pleased to see his modest enthusiasm. Mayor Knopp said that today we are seeing the fulfillment of work that has taken place during different administrations. He spoke about the tax benefits from this property and said that the City can expect to gain $885,000 each year from the property, which represents a huge increase to the grand list.

** MOTION PASSED WITH TWO (2) ABSTENTIONS (MR. BONDI AND MR. COFFEY)

IX. MOTIONS POSTPONED TO A SPECIFIC DATE

There were none.

X. SUSPENSION OF THE RULES

There were none.

XI. ADJOURNMENT

There was no further business and the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 8:45 p.m.

Attest:___________________________

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