Mayor Moccia called the April 22, 2008 meeting of the Common Council to order at 8:16 p.m. The Mayor then led the assembled group in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

I. ROLL CALL

Ms. Roman called the roll.

PRESENT:

Fred Bondi Amanda Brown
Michael Geake Richard McQuaid
Douglas Sutton Richard Bonenfant
Steven Serasis Nicholas Kydes
William Krummel Douglas Hempstead
Kelly Straniti Andrew T. Conroy
Laurel Lindstrom

ABSENT: Rev. Phyllis Bolden and Carvin Hilliard

Ms. Roman announced that there were thirteen (13) members present and two (2) absences.

II. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES

Regular meeting – April 8, 2008

** MR. MCQUAID MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF APRIL 8, 2008

** THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF APRIL 8, 2008 AS SUBMITTED PASSED WITH TWELVE (12) IN FAVOR (BONDI, BROWN, GEAKE, MCQUAID, SUTTON, BONENFANT, SERASIS, KYDES, LINDSTROM, HEMPSTEAD, CONROY AND KRUMMEL) AND ONE (1) ABSTENTION (STRANITI).
III. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Ms. Dawn Calle came forward and asked about bringing up some of the issues. Mayor Moccia acknowledged that he had spoken with Ms. Calle and said that Ms. Calle could send a letter to the him about the issues. The Mayor then said that the letter would be sent to the Council for their consideration. Ms. Calle said that she was not able to find an advanced copy of the agenda. Mayor Moccia replied that it was posted on the City Website. Ms. Calle said that the website was not very user friendly and she did not think that the agenda was very good because there were more important issues in the City.

IV. MAYOR

A. RESIGNATIONS AND APPOINTMENTS

Resignations: There were no resignations to report at this time.

Appointments:

Matthew Brovender – Board of Health

** MR. MCQUAID MOVED TO APPROVE THE APPOINTMENT OF MATTHEW BROVENDER TO THE BOARD OF HEALTH.

Mr. McQuaid said that he was pleased to nominate Mr. Brovender, who is a lawyer.

** THE MOTION PASSED WITH TWELVE (12) IN FAVOR (BONDI, BROWN, GEAKE, MCQUAID, STRANITI, BONENFANT, SERASIS, KYDES, LINDSTROM, HEMPSTEAD, CONROY AND KRUMMEL) AND ONE (1) ABSTENTION (SUTTON).

Julius Hayward – Parking Authority

** COUNCIL PRESIDENT BONDI MOVED TO APPROVE THE APPOINTMENT OF JULIUS HAYWARD TO THE PARKING AUTHORITY.

Council President Bondi gave a brief statement about why he thought Mr. Hayward was a good candidate for the Parking Authority. Mayor Moccia commented that he had met Mr. Hayward through the Chamber of Commerce and was pleased to appoint Mr. Hayward to this position.

** THE MOTION PASSED WITH TWELVE (12) IN FAVOR (BONDI, BROWN, GEAKE, MCQUAID, STRANITI, BONENFANT, SERASIS, KYDES, LINDSTROM, HEMPSTEAD, CONROY AND KRUMMEL) AND ONE (1) ABSTENTION (SUTTON).

Reappointments: There were no reappointments to consider at this time.

RECESS

Council President Bondi requested a 5 minute recess at 8:25 p.m. The meeting resumed at 8:37 p.m.

B. REMARKS

The Mayor reported that Mr. Hilliard had been ill and was recently released from the hospital. He then said that he wished that Mr. Hilliard a speedy recovery. Ms. Straniti then said that she also wished to thank everyone for their prayers and support during the recent months when her father was so very ill.

V. COUNCIL PRESIDENT

A. GENERAL COUNCIL BUSINESS

1. Formation of the Public Power Ad-hoc Committee.

** COUNCIL PRESIDENT BONDI MOVED FOR THE CREATION OF PUBLIC POWER COMMITTEE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL FOR THE PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATING THE FEASIBILITY OF A PUBLIC POWER SYSTEM THAT WILL PROVIDE RELIABLE ELECTRIC AT LEAST EXPENSE FOR THE RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES OF THE CITY OF NORWALK, AND FOR ITS’ PUBLICLY OWNED FACILITIES AND ASSOCIATED PROGRAMS, WHILE PROMOTING RENEWABLE ENERGY AND ENERGY CONSERVATION AND TO HIRE A CONSULTANT TO LOOK INTO THE FEASIBILITY OF SETTING UP A POWER AUTHORITY AND REPORT BACK TO THE COMMITTEE AND ONCE THAT IS DONE, THE PUBLIC POWER COMMITTEE WILL DISSOLVE.

Mr. Bonenfant asked for clarification regarding when the Public Power Authority would dissolve. Council President Bondi replied that it would end after the feasibility study was completed.

** MS. LINDSTROM MOVED TO AMEND THE PROPOSAL FROM:

THE CREATION OF PUBLIC POWER COMMITTEE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL FOR THE PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATING THE FEASIBILITY OF A PUBLIC POWER SYSTEM THAT WILL PROVIDE RELIABLE ELECTRIC AT LEAST EXPENSE FOR THE RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES OF THE CITY OF NORWALK, AND FOR ITS’ PUBLICLY OWNED FACILITIES AND ASSOCIATED PROGRAMS, WHILE PROMOTING RENEWABLE ENERGY AND ENERGY CONSERVATION AND TO HIRE A CONSULTANT TO LOOK INTO THE FEASIBILITY OF SETTING UP A POWER AUTHORITY AND REPORT BACK TO THE COMMITTEE AND ONCE THAT IS DONE, THE PUBLIC POWER COMMITTEE WILL DISSOLVE.

TO:

THE CREATION OF PUBLIC POWER COMMITTEE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL FOR THE PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATING THE FEASIBILITY OF A PUBLIC POWER SYSTEM THAT WILL PROVIDE RELIABLE ELECTRIC AT LEAST EXPENSE FOR THE RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES OF THE CITY OF NORWALK, AND FOR ITS’ PUBLICLY OWNED FACILITIES AND ASSOCIATED PROGRAMS, WHILE PROMOTING RENEWABLE ENERGY AND ENERGY CONSERVATION.

Ms. Lindstrom said that a special committee could be set up that would not have such a narrow focus. She said that it would be important to have a feasibility study and then to determine what should be done with the information produced by the study.

Mr. Krummel commented that when term “special committee” is used, according to Mason’s Rules, the “special Committee” only exists for the term of the Council. Mr. Krummel said that there was a possibility that by having the phrase regarding the dissolution of the Special Committee be after the Council term has ended.

Mr. Conroy said that the objective would be to hire a consultant, and that the report would come back to the Council for evaluation. He said that he would not support a member. Mr. Geake respectfully disagreed and said that the point was not to hire a consultant, but to evaluate the viability of municipality power.

The Mayor reminded everyone that funds had been appropriated for hiring a consultant. Council President Bondi said that originally the idea had been to hire a consultant, but then the Council term had ended. The Mayor then asked Atty. Maslan if a Committee could be dissolved upon the completion of the study. Atty. Maslan said that once the Committee’s task is completed, the Committee would dissolve.

Ms. Lindstrom then pointed out that in 2006, the charge had been much broader. She then read a description of the 2006 objectives, which did not include hiring a consultant. Ms. Lindstrom said that she would counsel the Council about approving a narrow focus.

Mr. Hempstead then said that he had difficulty voting on a motion when there was no back up material in the packet. Discussion about the details of this then followed.

** MR. HEMPSTEAD MOVED TO TABLE THE ITEM REGARDING THE CREATION OF A PUBLIC POWER AUTHORITY.

** THE MOTION PASSED WITH EIGHT (8) IN FAVOR (BONDI, GEAKE, MCQUAID, BONENFANT, KYDES, HEMPSTEAD, STRANITI, AND CONROY) AND FIVE (5) AGAINST (BROWN, SUTTON, SERASIS, LINDSTROM AND KRUMMEL).

B. CONSENT CALENDAR

** COUNCIL PRESIDENT BONDI THEN MOVED THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR WITH THE NOTATION THAT AGENDA ITEMS VII C 5a AND 5b WOULD BE TABLED TO THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING:

VI. AGENCIES, BOARDS & COMMISSIONS

VII. COMMON COUNCIL COMMITTEES

A. FINANCE COMMITTEE

1. Accept and approve the Report of the claims Committee dated: April 10, 2008.

2. For informational purposes only: Monthly Tax Collector’s Report dated: March 31, 2008.

3. For informational purposes only: Narrative on Tax Collections dated, April 10, 2008

4. Authorize the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia, to amend the contract with DB&R Consulting, LLC to extend their contract to include the July 1,2008 to December 31, 2008 period for an amount not to exceed $36,000 for that period. The firm provides risk management consulting services. Account #169010-5258.

5. Authorize the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia, to submit an application to the State of Connecticut for grant funds provided under the State of Connecticut’s Local Capital Improvements Fund for 2008 Entitlement ($646,549).

6. Authorize the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia, to execute an Amendment to Sempra Energy Solutions’, LLC existing agreement to enroll six (6) new City electrical accounts to Sempra’s electric generation services agreement. Various accounts.

B. RECREATION, PARKS & CULTURAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

1a. Authorize the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia to enter into an agreement wit the Alzheimer’s Association, CT Chapter for their Annual Memory Walk-Walkathon to be held at Calf Pasture beach on Sunday, October 5, 2008 from 7:00am -2:00pm. Estimated attendance 300.

1b. Approve the use of the show mobile for the Alzheimer’s Association, CT Chapter Annual Memory Walk-Walkathon to be held at Calf Pasture beach on Sunday, October 5, 2008.

2. Authorize the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia to enter into an agreement with the National Marine Manufacturers Association for their use of Calf Pasture Beach, Shady Beach, and Taylor Farm for parking during the Annual Norwalk In-Water Boat Show to be held September 18-21, 2008. Estimated attendance 50,000+

3. Authorize the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia to enter into an agreement with the Juvenile Diabetes Search Foundation for the use of Cranbury Park for a fundraiser walk to be held on Sunday, September 28, 2008 from 7:00am – 2:00pm. Estimated attendance 1,200.

4. Authorize the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia to enter into an agreement with Celebrate the Past LLC for the use of Taylor Farm and Shady Beach for the re-enactment of the Burning of Norwalk to be held on July 10, 11, 12, 2009. July 10, 2009 set-up to begin at 12noon with the event to take place July 11, 2009 from 10:00am – 5:00pm and July 12, 2009 from 10:00am-4:00pm. Teardown no later than 6:00pm on July 12, 2009. Estimated attendance 450.

5. Approve the use of the Show Mobile for the March of Dimes “March for Babies” to be held on Sunday, April 27, 2008 from 6:00am -4:00pm at Calf Pasture Beach.

6. Authorize the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia to enter into an agreement with the Rowayton School PTA for the use of the Rowayton School Grounds for their annual Carnival to be held Friday, May 2, 2008 from 6:00pm – 10:00pm and Saturday, May 3, 2008 from 11:00am -6:00pm. Set-up will begin on Wednesday, April 30, 2008 with tear down by Monday, May 5, 2008. Estimated attendance 300.

1a. Authorize the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia, to execute a contract with Diamond & Mac Contractors, Inc. for the installation of new ceiling system and new carpeting on the second floor of the Belden Main Library for a total not to exceed $129,000.00, subject to availability of funds through Special Capital Appropriation approval. Acct. #09086210-5777-C0427/C0428.

1b. Authorize the Library Director to issue change orders on Contract for a total not to exceed $10,381.90.

2. Authorize the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia, to execute an amendment to Silver/ Petrucelli and Associates, Inc. architectural/engineering design services contract for the Roton Middle School Project, in order to increase the current hazardous material monitoring allowance by $26,772.82 for additional monitoring services associated with the abatement phase for the project. Acct #0904-5010-5777-B0312.

3. Authorize the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia, to execute an amendment to Gilbane Building Company’s program management contract for a total not to exceed $24,464.00 for work associated with providing a plan update to the Facilities Audit & Analysis, Priority Needs Assessment for the Norwalk Public School Projects dated March 2004. Account #09045050-5777-B0291.

4. Authorize the Purchasing Agent to issue a Purchase Order to AAA Chimney Corporation of Palisades Park, NJ for providing chimney repairs services at Roton Middle School for a total not to exceed $31,480.00. Acct. #09045010-5777-C0312

5a. Authorize the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia, to execute a contract with Honeywell International for the Health Department Building HVAC system improvement project for a total not to exceed $171,885.00). (Acct. # to be determined) TABLED TO NEXT COUNCIL MEETING

5b. Authorize the Director of Health to issue change orders on contract for a total not to exceed $18,115.00. TABLED TO NEXT COUNCIL MEETING

VIII. RESOLUTIONS FROM COMMON COUNCIL

WHEREAS, according to statistics released in 2007 by the U.S. Census Bureau, year-round, full-time working women in 2006 earned only 77% of the earnings of year-round, full-time working men, indicating little change or progress in pay equity; and
WHEREAS, over a working lifetime, this wage disparity costs the average American women and her family $700,000 to $2million in lost wages, impacting Social Security benefits and pensions; and

WHEREAS, although women’s earnings have been slowly catching up to men’s over time, t he National Committee on Pay Equity (NCPE) tells us that this reduction in the wage gap is in part due to a fall in men’s earnings rather than an increase in women’s earnings; and

WHEREAS, despite the fact that women make up almost half of the Connecticut workforce, women in the state on average still earn only 71.5% of men’s earnings; and

WHEREAS, a vast majority of households depend on ages of a working mother and working families are often just one paycheck away from hardship; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that Tuesday, April 22, 2008, be proclaimed Pay Equity Day; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, that Norwalk urges its citizens to recognize the full value of value of women’s skills and significant contributions to the labor force.

** THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR AS PRESENTED PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

IX. MOTIONS POSTPONED TO A SPECIFIC DATE

X. SUSPENSION OF THE RULES

There were no suspensions of the rules.

XI. ADJOURNMENT

** MR. HEMPSTEAD MOVED TO ADJOURN.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Sharon L. Soltes
Telesco Secretarial Services

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