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Common Council
Actions
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COMMON COUNCIL ACTION
OCTOBER 28, 2003
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, October 28, 2003, in the Common Council Chambers, City Hall, 125 East Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut. The Mayor, Alex A, Knopp, called the meeting to order at 8:00 pm and lead the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance. There was a minutes of silence to remember Alan Burr.
I. ROLL CALL
Betsy Bain Jeanette Olmstead Sawyer
Kenneth Baker Christopher Perone
Fred Bondi Kevin Poruban
Carvin Hilliard Judith Rivas (8:07 pm)
Barbara Hudgins Douglas Sutton
William Krummel Peter Wien
Bruce Kimmel (absent) William Wrenn
Matthew Miklave
There were thirteen (13) members present at Roll Call.
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II. ACCEPTANCE OF THE MINUTES
** MR. BONDI MOVED APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES AS AMENDED.
The following corrections were made to the minutes of October 14, 2003:
Page three, middle paragraph change Legislator to Legislature.
Page eight, under the heading Corporation Counsel, in the second line change the word contact to contract.
Page eight, fifth paragraph, last line, insert the word results after the word examination.
Page nine, second paragraph from the bottom, last line, insert the word informed after the word organizations.
Page eleven, third paragraph, last sentence, after the word advanced, add notice for the.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY BY VOICE VOTE.
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III. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
David Davidson said he was here tonight to speak about the approval of the police contract. He stated that last Wednesday morning, after the approval of the contract, he had telephoned the Personnel Department to have a chance to review this contract, however he was informed that this was a privileged document and that it could not be viewed by the public until the Council had approved it. Mr. Davidson said he understood that this could not be negotiated in public, however, once the contract had been negotiated and approved by the union, the city taxpayer should be able to see if before the Council commits the city taxpayer to a four year commitment.
Mr. Davidson said under the current circumstances, he was not suggesting that they do not act upon the police contract, if the Personnel Department was correct and those are the current rules, however he urged the Council to let constituents have an opportunity to have input before committing the city taxpayer to a long term contract.
Ms. Rivas joined the meeting at 8:07 pm.
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IV. MAYOR
A. REMARKS
Mayor Knopp indicated that he considered this Common Council to have been the most productive Council in recent history. He said that over the last two years they had adopted and funded the following: a long range plan for all of the schools, repairs to fifteen school roofs, a total reform of the construction management oversight, provision of school computers, a proposal to increase the city’s IT capacity, a significant revision in the emergency dispatch system as well as many other changes. No matter what the outcome of the election, the Mayor said because of the great accomplishments by council members, it has made the city a better place.
Mayor Knopp thanked Ms. Hudgins, Ms. Rivas and Mr. Wrenn for their active and diligent service as members of the Council; he said they could look back on all they had done and feel proud.
Regarding the agreement between the City and the Maritime Aquarium, Mayor Knopp said he was pleased to say that this has now been worked out in principle on all issues.
Mayor Knopp acknowledged members of the Norwalk Police Department and union members. He said after long negotiations they had now reached an agreement and that Norwalk’s finest would be receiving the finest benefits and wages. He thanked the president of Union, Chief Rilling and all the others involved in reaching the agreement.
Mayor Knopp announced that the city of Norwalk has a tremendous economic development opportunity in the decision to support the application by Diagio to relocate one thousand employees to the head quarters in Norwalk. He said this brings high wages jobs, property taxes for Norwalk and will enhance its growing reputation as a first class destination of Fairfield County. He listed other prospective companies considering moving to Norwalk. He concluded by saying that this is fantastic news for the city.
B. RESIGNATIONS AND APPOINTMENTS
Resignations:
Tulio Lopez – Board of Estimate and Taxation
Mayor Knopp regretted to say that Mr. Lopez had resigned from the Board of Estimate and Taxation noting that he had been extremely diligent and had done a terrific job. He said that in Mr. Lopez’s job, he would now be traveling all over the world and wished him well.
Appointments:
Gregory Burnett, Sr – Board of Estimate and Taxation
Mayor Knopp said he had met Mr. Burnett as a parent through the PTO. He said he had been active in civic affairs and would bring a good sense of judgment to the Board.
** MR. PORUBAN MOVED TO APPOINT GREGORY BURNETT TO THE BOARD OF ESTIMATE AND TAXATION FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE 11/30/05.
Mr. Poruban said he too had met Mr. Burnett through the PTO and said he was an excellent candidate.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY BY VOICE VOTE.
Timothy Massad – Redevelopment Agency
Mayor Knopp said Mr. Massad had a great deal of financial expertise; he was active in civic life and had a most impressive resume.
** MS. BAIN MOVED TO APPOINT TIMOTHY MASSAD TO THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE 11/01/08
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY BY VOICE VOTE.
Anne Carbone – Zoning Board of Appeals
Mayor Knopp explained that Ms. Carbone is going from an alternate to a full member on the Zoning Board of Appeals; he noted that she has been diligent in her work and had a consumer friendly attitude.
** MR. WRENN MOVED TO APPOINT ANNE CARBONE TO THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE 02/01/07.
Mr. Wrenn said he had worked with Ms. Carbone saying that she is vibrant, energetic and pleased to see her appointed to a full member.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY BY VOICE VOTE.
Re-appointments
Diane Beltz-Jacobson – Assistant Corporation Counsel
Mayor Knopp said he was pleased to re-appoint Ms. Beltz-Jacobson noting that she has a huge workload, reviewing contracts etc. He said after working with her, he has come to rely upon her as she is diligent in her work and has established good working legal relationships.
** MR. KRUMMEL MOVED TO RE-APPOINT DIANE BELTZ-JACOBSON TO THE CORPORATION COUNSEL FOR A TERM OF TWO YEARS.
Mr. Krummel said he has worked with Ms. Beltz-Jacobson and said he is confident that she is a person that will do her best for the city.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY BY VOICE VOTE.
William Andriopoulos – Building Board of Appeals
Mayor Knopp said that Mr. Andriopoulos had served with distinction on the police building committee.
** MR. BONDI MOVED TO RE-APPOINT WILLIAM ANDRIOPOULOS TO THE BUILDING BOARD OF APPEALS FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE 02/01/07.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY BY VOICE VOTE.
John Casagrande – Shellfish Commission
Mayor Knopp stated that Mr. Casagrande is a long serving member of the Shellfish Commission and had been very important with matters regarding the power line and dredging.
** MS. BAIN MOVED TO RE-APPOINT JOHN CASAGRANDE TO THE NORWALK SHELLFISH COMMISSION FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE 03/30/06.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY BY VOICE VOTE.
Mary O’Keagan – Zoning Board of Appeals
This item was passed.
Sara Coratolo – Board of Assessment
Mayor Knopp stated that Ms. Coratolo had served with the revaluation and the tax assessor.
** MR. SUTTON MOVED TO APPOINT SARA CORATOLO TO THE BOARD OF ASSESSMENT.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY BY VOICE VOTE.
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V. COUNCIL PRESIDENT
B. OTHER GENERAL COUNCIL BUSINESS
1. Cancel regular meeting of Common Council on 11/11/03 due to Veteran’s Day.
Regarding the next meeting of the Common Council, Mayor Knopp stated that it falls on Veteran’s Day and during the last meeting they had discussed the possibilities of moving it to another day. However, after speaking with Mr. Spar of the Corporation Counsel he had informed him that in accordance with the City Charter the Common Council has to still have that meeting. The Mayor said there would be a meeting on November 11, 2003, where they will require only eight members to attend and no action will be taken on that day.
A. CONSENT CALENDAR
** MR. MIKLAVE MOVED APPROVAL OF THE ITEMS TO BE INCLUDED ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR.
1. Authorize the Finance Department to execute any and all documents necessary with Travelers Insurance Company to bind Builder’s Risk Insurance for the Brien McMahon High School/Center for Global Studies Improvement Project for an amount not to exceed $187,840.00. Acct. #09035010-5777-C0237
2. Authorize the Purchasing Department to issue Purchase Orders to TriMark United East for kitchen equipment for the Brookside School Replacement Project for a total amount not to exceed $47,828.00. Acct. #09035010-5777-C0171
3. Authorize the Purchasing Department to issue Purchase Orders to Insalco Corporation for furniture for the Brookside School Replacement Project for a total amount not to exceed $283,765.50. Acct. #09035010-5777-C0171
4. Authorize the Purchasing Department to issue Purchase Orders to Virco, Inc. for furniture for the Brookside School Replacement Project for a total amount not to exceed $22,215.80. Acct. #09035010-5777-C0171
5. Authorize the Purchasing Department to issue Purchase Orders to School Furnishings, Inc. for furniture for the Brookside School Replacement Project for a total amount not to exceed $57,189.80. Acct. #09035010-5777-C0171
A. PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE COMMITTEE
1b. Authorize the Mayor, Alex A. Knopp, to execute any and all agreements and instruments necessary to implement the Bio-terrorism Planning and Preparedness project and any amendments thereto.
2a. Authorize the Mayor, Alex A. Knopp, to execute a License Agreement for Wire, Pipe and Cable Crossings and longitudinal Occupations, Agreement M-N-320, with Metro North Commuter Railroad, in connection with the Roton Trunk Sewer Project.
2b. Authorize the Mayor, Alex A. Knopp to execute any and documents required to implement said Agreement.
3a. Authorize the Mayor, Alex A. Knopp, to execute a License Agreement for Wire, Pipe and Cable Crossings and longitudinal Occupations, Agreement M-N-321, with Metro North Commuter Railroad in connection with the Heritage Park Project.
3b. Authorize the Mayor, Alex A. Knopp to execute any and documents required to implement said Agreement.
1. Authorize the Mayor, Alex A. Knopp, to execute an agreement with TriFitness for he 2nd annual Mossman Triathlon event to be held at Calf Pasture Beach on Sunday, July 11, 2004 from 7a.m. – 11a.m. Estimated attendance 500+ Set up July 10, 2004 beginning at 2:00p.m.
4a. Approve the use of Calf Pasture Beach by the Norwalk Hospital Whittingham Cancer Center for a Cancer Walk to take place Saturday, May 15, 2004 from 11:00a.m. – 6:00p.m. Estimated attendance 490.
4b. Approve the use of the show-mobile by the Norwalk Hospital Whittingham Cancer Center for a Cancer Walk to take place Saturday May 15, 2004
1a. Authorize the Mayor, Alex A. Knopp, to execute an agreement with Hontz Elevator Co., Inc. for elevator modifications at the Health Department for a total amount not to exceed $95,750.00 Acct. # 09032012-5777-C0280 and Acct. # 09007100-5777-C0146
1b. Authorize the Office of Building Management to issue change orders on contract for a total not to exceed $9,575.00
4. Authorize the Purchasing Department to issue an increase to the Purchase Order with Harcourt Textbooks for payment of shipping charges relating to textbook purchases for a total not to exceed $32,575.58. Acct. # 09035010-5777-C0309
7. Authorize the Purchasing Department to issue a Purchase Order to Dell for the purchase of 20 Dell computers for the Norwalk Public Library for a total not to exceed $12,780.00. Acct # 016200-5741
Mr. Miklave moved to refer the next Item back to committee.
IX. MOTIONS POSTPONED TO A SPECIFIC DATE
Item tabled from Common Council meeting of October 14, 2003
1. Approve City of Norwalk Procurement Guidelines.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY BY VOICE VOTE.
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EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mayor Knopp stated that any further discussion would have to take place during executive session; he asked Council members if they had any further questions or comments. There were none.
Mayor Knopp thanked all parties involved with the negotiations, adding that they had taken Mr. Davidson’s comments into consideration.
** MR. SUTTON MOVED APPROVAL OF THE ITEM.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY BY VOICE VOTE.
Mayor Knopp asked if there were any questions or comments from Council members. There were none.
** MR. SUTTON MOVED APPROVAL OF THE ITEM.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY BY VOICE VOTE.
The Mayor indicated that yesterday, himself and Chris Tory had initialed the agreement for 2405 for the DPW employees. Under the agreement Mayor Knopp said he could not discuss any of the specifics however they had found not just common ground, but had made a real step forward in how to integrate the city’s parking with the excellent efforts of the DPW.
Technical Correction
The Feeholders report of December 10, 1998 on the assessment of benefits and damages for the abandonment of a portion of Smith Street is accepted and the portion of Smith Street as identified in the aforementioned Freeholders Report is hereby abandoned and the Mayor, Alex A. Knopp is authorized to execute and all documents necessary to implement and effectuate this abandonment.
** MR. PERONE MOVED APPROVAL OF THE ITEM.
** MR. PERONE MOVED TO AMEND THE MOTION BY TAKING OUT THE NAME ALEX A. KNOPP (FROM THE FOURTH LINE).
** AMENDMENT PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
** MOTION AS AMENDED PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
1a. Authorize the Mayor, Alex A. Knopp, to execute an agreement any and all documents necessary to apply for and accept grant funds from the State of Connecticut for the Bio-terrorism Planning and Preparedness project for the period of September 1, 2003 to August 31, 2004.
** MS. RIVAS MOVED APPROVAL OF THE ITEM.
Ms. Rivas stated that she was pleased to see this move along and in such a timely manner.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY BY VOICE VOTE.
Mr. Miklave read the following, amended resolution:
Be It Resolved by the Norwalk Common Council that the Plan of Conservation and Development for the City of Norwalk 1990-2000, as amended to April 11, 2003, be further amended as shown upon a document, certified by the Norwalk Planning Commission, entitled "Norwalk Wall Street Area Planning Update" dated June 26, 2003 as modified and approved effective October 10, 2003; be approved.
Be It Further Resolved that this amendment to the Plan of Conservation and Development for the City of Norwalk be forwarded to the Mayor for his signature.
** MR. MIKLAVE MOVED APPROVAL OF THE ITEM.
Mayor Knopp stated that this marks the last step in the first part of the renovation and development of Wall Street. This area has been neglected for the last fifteen years and should be a vibrant part of the city’s downtown. He said over the last fifteen months or so, there has been a very active process to get new ideas and there is now a plan that is attractive, workable and will make Wall Street a new, urban residential village.
The Mayor thanked Tim Sheehan, Mike Greene, Helena Kabel, Charlie Massos, Mike McGuire and the entire group of the Wall Street Advisory Committee. Mayor Knopp said the next part of the plan is to turn it into a redevelopment plan and Mr. Sheehan has already started this process.
Mr. Wrenn said he thought the Planning Commission did an excellent job in adding amendments. He said some of the issues about storm water drainage, discussed during yesterday’s meeting were already covered in the plan. He said he was glad to see that this is progressive and environmentally friendly approach to development that will serve everybody well. Mr. Wrenn commended the Mayor on taking the initiative on Wall Street, which is long overdue adding that the area has so much potential.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY BY VOICE VOTE.
6. Authorize the NFCC to issue Change Order Request #56 on the Fusco Corporation’s contract for the Brookside School Replacement Project for the millwork (built-in furniture) in the amount of $219,786.00 as an increase to the Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP). Account #09035010-5777-C0171
** MR. KRUMMEL MOVED APPROVAL OF THE ITEM.
Mr. Krummel said this is a very important item for the Brookside School because it is saying that they want a uniformed, quality appearance. In order to get this item that might have been handled under FF&E it is handled as a change order for Fusco to provide the same millwork that it has already provided under the contract.
Mayor Knopp confirmed that this is not a change order in the customary sense; it’s a way for Fusco to complete the built-in furniture. He said it is part of the FF&E, not a complete change order as they customarily understand it and the only reason the GMP increases is because it applies to Fusco; there is no increase in money, more of a shift.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY BY VOICE VOTE
** MR. KRUMMEL MOVED APPROVAL OF THE ITEM.
Mayor Knopp acknowledged the presence of the Principal of Briggs High School, the Photographic Advisor and some of the students.
Mr. Bondi said he had great pleasure in supporting this item as he felt this is a tremendous program at Briggs and it is affiliated with the Norwalk PAL, of which he is president. Mr. Bondi said with the addition of the computers and the other equipment that has been purchased he said it will be a great, great program.
Mr. Poruban said he too was happy to support this and acknowledged Mr. Buswell for all of his time and straightening things out.
Ms. Olmstead-Sawyer said it is a great joy to see something like this at Briggs. She went on to say that have a great advisor over there and are blessed to have such a fine person.
Mr. Krummel said that the Land Use and Building Committee gave quite a bit of time to this proposal; saying that they were concerned at first that the computer equipment was the kind that could be integrated into the future municipal area network and other programs that the city has. He said when they saw that the staff at Briggs High School had selected computer equipment that is very close to what is used in practice, they were very impressed with the Apple machines and associated software.
Mr. Wrenn said that he had seen a collection of photographs at the Norwalk Museum, it was an excellent show and he recommended everyone go along to take a look.
Mayor Knopp indicated that equipment selected will have an additional benefit because through their work with City Scan, the students from Briggs are working with them to provide some of the photograph services in digital form to document some of the conditions in the neighborhoods.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY BY VOICE VOTE.
** MR. KRUMMEL MOVED APPROVAL OF THE ITEM.
Mr. Krummel also acknowledged Mr. Buswell saying that he had become aware of an invaluable contribution by volunteers with a specialized IT background in the work of the city.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY BY VOICE VOTE.
5. Authorize the Purchasing Department to issue a Purchasing Order to Pearson Digital learning for the Waterford Reading Program at Kendall Elementary School for an amount not to exceed $47,764.54. Account #09035010-5777-C0112 (subject to review by the Land Use and Building Management Committee).
** MR. KRUMMEL MOVED APPROVAL OF THE ITEM.
Mr. Krummel acknowledged Tony Detrio, the principal of Kendall and asked him to explain a little about the program.
Mr. Detrio said that this is a computer-based program that first installed at their school approximately five years ago. The program helps students to get a start, especially those that are somewhat language deficient and also it helps to close the achievement gap. He further explained that students in first grade come in for fifteen minutes a day and what has happened over the last five years is that the computers have got a little weary. Mr. Detrio said with this purchase Pearson have also stated that they will upgrade the software, so they will be going up one more level of programming.
Mr. Detrio said this work is critical to the children, noting the importance of starting early to get at any deficiencies.
Ms. Olmstead-Sawyer confirmed that this was a pilot program and asked what other school have this program. Mr. Detrio said every school has one Waterford set up and the pilot was at Brookside School and they are still running it. He said they got into it using their grant money.
Ms. Olmstead-Sawyer said what concerned her was that such a great program is only running at certain schools. Mr. Detrio reiterated that they could not have got into had it not been for the grant money of nearly $150,000; he said the cost is very high.
Mayor Knopp asked Stuart Opdahl to set forward to answer some questions.
Mr. Opdahl said in the technology budget there is less than $250,000; he said this is not the final picture of development; there is also a math program. He said they are currently trying to establish whether or not to move forward with this in all of the schools.
Ms. Olmstead-Sawyer asked if there was any evidence that this program does reduce the achievement gap.
Mr. Detrio said that was very hard to answer because they have only just starting testing children at that age group; there was no hard data before that.
Mayor Knopp said for all of its faults, one of the priorities in the new legislation, No Child Left Behind, is a researched based approach behind what programs should be utilized. He said the Waterford program is one of those research based success stories.
Mr. Krummel thanked Mr. Detrio for attending the meeting. He referred to the back-up material for the Waterford program noting that it is advertised for a level one, two, three program. Mr. Krummel asked if this indicated that there is plans for first, second and third grade program.
Mr. Detrio explained that level one is kindergarten, level two is first grade and when they originally got involved they did not have enough grant money to get any more. He said by second grade most students have got it by then.
Mr. Krummel said what he liked about the Waterford program is that the student takes material home to work with parents. Mr. Detrio said there is a very strong parent involvement with this program.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY BY VOICE VOTE.
1. Amendment to Code of City of Norwalk, Chapter 112- Trees
** MR. WRENN MOVED APPROVAL OF THE ITEM.
Mr. Wrenn thanked Jeff Spar for helping to tweak the ordinance to make it more fair to the taxpayer. He said this is a really good ordinance, as they have to remember how important Norwalk trees are and that they have an economic value. Trees help to establish a sense of place and help us feel at home in Norwalk. Something they need to keep in mind moving forward is a tree-planting plan so they are always replacing the old and dead trees.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY BY VOICE VOTE.
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VIII. RESOLUTIONS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS
There were none this evening.
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X. SUSPENSION OF THE RULES
There were none this evening.
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Mr. Bondi thanked Mr. Wrenn, Ms. Rivas and Ms. Hudgins for serving on the Common Council. He thanked them for they great input into the Council and wished them well in the future.
Ms. Rivas commented that it had been a dream; she had met many wonderful people and would miss them.
Ms. Hudgins stated that she had very much enjoyed her two years on the Council.
Mr. Wrenn said he too had enjoyed his four years, commenting that it was a good experience and would miss everyone.
XI. ADJOURNMENT
** MS. RIVAS MOVED TO ADJOURN.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY BY VOICE VOTE.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 pm.
ATTEST : ____________________________
Pam Stark, City Clerk
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