CITY OF NORWALK
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE
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Action September 3, 2002
FINANCE/PUBLIC WORKS/ORDINANCE COMMITTEE
JOINT PUBLIC HEARING
OCTOBER 2, 2002
ATTENDANCE: Bruce Kimmel; Kevin Poruban; Jeanette Olmstead-Sawyer(7:37);
Judith Rivas (7:40)
STAFF: Bill Grumman; DPW Director; Richard Linnartz; Peter Romano
The meeting was called to order at 7:35PM.
1. ACCEPT THE MINUTES FROM THE PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2002.
** MS. OLMSTEAD-SAWYER MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 3, 2002
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
2A. AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR, ALEX KNOPP, TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH FGB CONSTRUCTION, INC. FOR PROJECT NO. RD 2002-3, PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS TO FLAX HILL ROAD - PHASE 2, FOR A SUM NOT TO EXCEED $931,633
2B. AUTHORIZE THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS TO ISSUE ORDERS ON CONTRACT TO FGB CONSTRUCTION, INC. FOR PROJECT NO. RD 2002-3, PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS TO FLAX HILL ROAD - PHASE 2, FOR A SUM NOT TO EXCEED $93,633.
Mr. Linnartz stated that 4 bids were received ranging from $931,000 to $1,300,000. He had estimated the cost to be $966,000. He requested that the committee reallocate funds from the paving program and put off paving Soundview Ave due to gas work that has been proposed. Mr. Romano stated that funding was approved by the council at their last meeting for $950,000 to pave 3 streets. However, since there is going to be major work on Soundview, he would like to redirect the $263,000 originally allocated for Soundview to Flaxhill Road instead. Next year he plans to ask for funding to pave Soundview.
** MR. KIMMEL MOVED TO APPROVE ITEM 2A. AND ITEM 2B.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
3. AUTHORIZE THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS TO REJECT ALL BIDS FOR COMPOSTING SERVICES.
Mr. Romano gave background information on this agenda item. He said that the city of Norwalk, through the Purchasing Department, solicited proposals for brush, stumps, and leaves haul-away because the current contract is up on October 1st. Three bids came in but the lowest bidder did not meet the all the qualifications. The lowest bidder and the company that did meet the qualifications came to argue why they should each receive the contract.
Mr. Kimmel questioned why it was necessary for a company to own and operate its own disposal facility. Mr. Grumman responded that he believes that requirement may have been put in to protect the city and to ensure proper legal disposal.
Ms. Devries from The Scotts Company stated her case first. She said that the city had asked for help with material handling several years ago because they knew "The Scotts Company" could handle the volume from cradle to grave with no problems. She referred to a financial report that was put out by the Purchasing Department comparing the fees of the 3 bidders:
The Scotts Company $/ton Tons Extended $
Material Nov - Feb $28 4,300 $120,400
Material Mar - Oct. $39.50 4,200 $165,900
Logs $49 800 $ 39,200
Annual Cost $325,500
Grillo $/ton Tons Extended $
Leaves $30 3,100 $ 93,000
Yard waste $37.95 5,400 $204,930
Logs $37.45 800 $ 29,960
Annual Cost $327,890
Variance over Scotts in 1 year $ 2,390
Royal Environmental $/ton Tons Extended $
Yard waste $29.88 8,500 $253,980
Logs $31.88 800 $ 25,504
Annual cost $279,484
Variance under Scotts year 1 $ 46,016
Royal Environmental Year 2 Year 2 Year 2
Yard waste $31.08 8,500 $264,180
Logs $33.50 800 $ 26,800
Total year 2 $290,980
Royal Environmental Year 3 Year 3 Year 3
Yard waste $32.58 8,500 $276,930
Logs $34.25 800 $ 27,400
Total year 2 $304,330
Royal 3 year total $874,794
Scotts 3 year total $976,500
Total variance $101,706
She pointed out that the numbers stated for The Scotts Company were not accurate
and that the financial analysis prepared by them showed only a 1% difference
in cost with Royal Environmental. She also stated that they've been in business
for many years with no problems at their sites and they have municipal references.
Their pricing was based on time not material like the other bidders, because
it is very difficult to separate leaves from brush. She concluded that all these
factors made The Scotts Company the qualified low bidder.
Mr. Malone, president of "Royal Environmental", presented his case next. He pointed out how the towns of Stamford, Greenwich, Trumbull, Westport and Darien saved hundreds of thousands of dollars by choosing his company. He said his company has never been in violation of any DEP or DEC codes and that Norwalk has paid the price over the years by going with The Scotts Company. He feels his company should not be excluded from bidding because over that one specification especially since his company takes their waste to the same DEP monitoring facilities as The Scotts Company.
Mr. Kimmel asked Ms. Devries what facility her company uses for waste disposal. Ms. Devries said the waste is taken to Lebanon, CT . Mr. Kimmel also asked Mr. Malone the same question. Mr. Malone responded that he used Natures Choice in NJ, Alders which is located in New York, Snowfarm, Grillo and 2 other approved sites.
Mr. Poruban asked Mr. Malone what was the difference. Mr. Malone responded by pointing out that his company is Norwalk based, and that his employees also live in Norwalk. He stated that all the other surrounding towns chose him because he gave a fair bid and he is also bonded for $5,000,000.
Mr. Kimmel stated that it appeared there was a substantial savings by choosing Royal Environmental and called for a vote.
Mr. Grumman pointed out that the numbers were not written by a contractor and admitted that his staff should have double checked the numbers to make sure they were accurate. He continued to state that his senior staff recommendation was to take out the objectionable items and add items about availability of trucks and hauling. He recommended that the bids be rejected.
Mr. Poruban asked if this decision would affect leaves being disposed of in the Fall. Mr. Romano said that the current vendor will continue to do pick-ups as usual.
** MR. KIMMEL MOVED THAT THE BIDS BE REJECTED AND NEW SPECS BE CREATED
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
4. APPROVE THE FOURTH TAXING DISTRICT PROPERTY EXTENSIONS.
** MR. KIMMEL MOVED TO APPROVE THIS ITEM
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
5. SCHEDULE A PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING ON NOVEMBER , 2002 7:30PM NORWALK CITY HALL, 125 EAST AVE, NORWALK, CT., TO OBTAIN COMMENTS FROM RESIDENTS AND OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES ON THE PROPOSED FOUR-WAY STOP SIGN AT THE INTERSECTION OF ROWAYTON AVENUE AND HUNT STREET AND JACOB STREET, FOR RECOMMENDATION FROM THE PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE TO THE TRAFFIC AUTHORITY.
It was decided that the next meeting was to be held on November 4, 2002 at 7:30PM
6. DISCUSSION - NOVEMBER 5, 2002 ELECTION DAY (GOVERNOR'S RACE) AND THE
NEXT PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE.
Mr. Kimmel suggested that there be no meeting held on election night.
7. DISCUSSION - FLOODING/DRAINAGE CONCERNS AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS.
Mr. Romano said that a few weeks ago, he and Mr. Linnartz met with residents from Buckingham and Lockwood area to discuss the flooding that occurred over the Labor Day weekend. As a result of the meeting, residents were informed that an initial investigation would take place to determine whether design changes would be necessary or whether spot repairs and better maintenance was needed. The investigation would begin with TV cameras being set up over all the lines to check whether they were intact or if there was a maintenance problem. Once that data was gathered, it will then be decided if spot repairs should be made or increase the size of the pipes. An engineer from the Department of Public Works has been assigned to put together an RFP for video work only, for information gathering about the various size drain lines. Mr. Romano said that the estimated cost of this project would be about $1,000 per day, with an estimated time period of 20 days or less, depending on what was the problem .
Ms. Olmstead-Sawyer asked what an RFP was. Mr. Romano replied that an RFP was a Request for Proposal, which was similar to a bid.
Several residents from the area were present at this meeting. Mr. Malone asked Mr. Romano if RFP's were mainly used for projects that are low in cost. Mr. Romano responded that based on the type of work that was going to be done (video work), a signed contract was needed for in order for a bond to be issued and to secure insurance.
Mr. Malone asked if there was a blockage found in the Olmstead area. Mr. Romano said no, they have not come across any catch basins that were plugged up. However, taping and reports will determine better if there are any plugs or damages. Design changes will be addressed if no major problems were found.
Mr. Malone also said that raw sewage had backed up into his tub during the last storm. One reason might be illegal hook-ups. He asked what progress had been made to find out if there were any illegal hook-ups in his area. Mr. Grumman responded that he was not sure if any tests have been done yet. He plans to check the status of the testing with OMI.
Mr. Kimmel was in favor of the video work and requested a real cost for the project be given at the next meeting. Mr. Romano agreed to do that.
8. DISCUSSION - SCOFIELD SEWER UPDATE
Mr. Romano gave the update on this item. He said based on the direction from the last meeting, the pipes on Scofield Avenue had been replaced. He recommended that since a brand new line was put in, that the city accept that and maintain it, but not maintain the next section which was only a 6 inch line. Mr. Kimmel asked would this cause a problem. Mr. Romano said no.
9. FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY - ISLANDS OFF NORWALK EXIT RAMPS.
Mr. Kimmel brought up that the islands of the exits ramps should be better maintained.
10. FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSE - GLASSER STREET AND OBSERVATORY ONE WAY STREETS
Ms. Olmstead-Sawyer asked what was the status of changing Glasser Street and Observatory into one-way streets. Mr. Linnartz responded that raw data has been gathered but nothing has been decided. One option brought up by Mr. Linnartz in regards to Glasser Street, was to eliminate parking on side. Mr. Grumman suggested a possible public information meeting to address the concerns.
** MR. KIMMEL MOVED TO ADJOURN.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:15PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Michele Montgomery
Telesco Secretarial Services
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