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Common Council
Actions
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COMMON COUNCIL ACTION
APRIL 22, 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, April 22, 2003, in the Common Council Chambers, City Hall, 125 East Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut. The Mayor, Alex A. Knopp, called the meeting to order at 8.00pm.
Betsy Bain Jeanette Olmstead-Sawyer
Kenneth Baker Christopher Perone
Fred Bondi (8.20 pm) Kevin Poruban
Carvin Hilliard Judith Rivas
Barbara Hudgins Douglas Sutton
William Krummel (absent) Peter Wien
Bruce Kimmel (absent) William Wrenn
Matthew Miklave
Twelve (12) members were present at Roll Call.
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II. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES
B. Continuation of 4/8/03 Meeting on April 9, 2003
** REV. OLMSTEAD SAWYER MOVED APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF APRIL 8, 2003.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY BY VOICE VOTE.
** MS. RIVAS MOVED APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE CONTINUATION OF THE MEETING APRIL 8, 2003 HELD ON APRIL 9, 2003.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY BY VOICE VOTE.
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III. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
There were no comments from the public this evening.
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IV. MAYOR
The Mayor acknowledged the resignation of Brian Lockhart from the Norwalk Hour and wished him well.
B. REMARKS
Mayor Knopp announced that he would be holding a press conference tomorrow (April 23, 2003) to discuss a reform in the city's building management process.
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V. COUNCIL PRESIDENT
A. CONSENT CALENDAR
** MR. MIKLAVE MOVED APPROVAL OF THE FOLLOWING ITEMS TO BE INCLUDED ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR.
(NMEA/Grade 13)
b. Reclassify Subdivision Inspector (NMEA/Grade15) to Compliance Inspector (NMEA/Grade 17).
B. PLANNING COMMITTEE
2. Approve the use of the optional income eligibility limits for the 2003-2004 CDBG Program Year.
3. Authorize the Mayor, Alex A. Knopp, to execute any and all documents required to apply for, accept and implement the 2003-2004 Annual Action Plan for Housing and Community Development.
4. Approval of the Proposed Fourth Amendment to the City of Norwalk contract with Tighe & Bond Consulting Engineers as set forth in the attached proposal dated February 14, 2003 and authorization of funds in an amount not to exceed $49,400 from the State DECD Grant for Reed Putnam for the additional services.
5. Authorize the Mayor, Alex A. Knopp, to execute any and all documents associated with an amendment to the existing Agreement between the City of Norwalk and Tighe & Bond Consulting Engineers for engineering services in the Reed Putnam Urban Renewal Project area.
C. PUBLIC SAFETY AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS COMMITTEE
2a. Authorize the Mayor, Alex A. Knopp, to execute any and all documents necessary to apply for and accept grant funds from the State of Connecticut, Department of Transportation, Division of Highway Safety under the 2003 Memorial Day/Fourth of July DUI Enforcement/Equipment Grant.
2b. Authorize the Mayor, Alex A. Knopp, to execute any and all agreements and instruments necessary to implement the 2003 Memorial Day/Fourth of July DUI Enforcement/Equipment Grant.
3a. Authorize the Mayor, Alex A. Knopp, to execute any and all documents necessary to apply for and accept grant funds from the U.S. Department of Justice for the 2003-2004 Weed and Seed Grant Program not to exceed $225,000.00.
3b. Authorize the Mayor, Alex A. Knopp, to execute any and all agreements and documents necessary to implement the 2003/2004 Weed and Seed Grant Program not to exceed $225,000.00.
Mr. Miklave stated that the next two items would be tabled until the next meeting.
2. Authorize the preparation of schematic drawings and outline specifications for the Re-roofing Projects at Roton Middle, Wolfpit Elementary, Jefferson Elementary and Silvermine Elementary Schools.
Mr. Miklave continued with items to be included on the consent agenda.
1a. Approve the use of Veterans Park by the Puerto Rican Parade of Norwalk CT Inc. for a softball Tournament to be held May 24, 2003 from 9:00A.M.-8:00P.M. Estimated attendance 500+
1b. Approve the use of Veterans Park by the Puerto Rican Parade of Norwalk CT Inc. for their annual Parade to be held Sunday June 22, 2003 from 2:00P.M.-7:00P.M. Set up will start 7:00A.M. June 22 and breakdown by 8:30P.M. Estimated attendance 1000+
1c. Approve the use of the Showmobile for the annual Puerto Rican Day Parade by the Puerto Rican Parade of Norwalk CT Inc. Sunday June 22, 2003 from 7:00A.M.-7:00P.M.
2. Authorize the Mayor, Alex A. Knopp to execute an agreement with the South Norwalk Community Center, Inc. to utilize the grounds including playground at Columbus School for their annual NEON-SNCC Summer Day Camp to be held Monday July 7-August 15, 2003. Monday -Friday 8:00A.M.-2:30P.M. Daily attendance 75-85 participants.
Norwalk Small Craft Safety Training Program Inc. d/b/a Norwalk Sailing School's agreement for the purposes of operating a non-profit sailing safety training program at Calf Pasture Beach, from July 1, 2003 - June 30,2008.
4a. Authorize the Mayor, Alex A. Knopp, to execute an agreement with G.C. Construction Co., LLC for the renovation of the Mathews Park Summer Kitchen into Public Restrooms for an amount not to exceed $85,900.00. Account #09006030 5777 C0132 and #09006310 5777 C0186.
4b. Authorize the Director of Recreation and Parks Department to issue change orders on contract for a total not to exceed $8,590.00.
Ms. Bain requested that items VII. D 1 and 2 be removed from the consent calendar.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY BY VOICE VOTE.
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VII. COMMON COUNCIL COMMITTEES
** MR. MIKLAVE MOVED APPROVAL OF THE ITEM.
** MR. MIKLAVE MOVED TO AMEND THE ITEM TO SUBSTITUTE THE ANNUAL ACTION PLAN FOR HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AS REVISED APRIL 22, 2003.
Mr. Miklave stated that the amendment has made two changes to the document that was a source of some discussion at committee level and some great work by the Redevelopment Agency; Mr. Miklave thanked Tim Sheehan and his staff. He noted on page 21 after some presentations made at the committee level by the Norwalk Housing Authority the Redevelopment staff worked with other city officials to rescale the program down from $140,000 to recommendation of $50,000. He added that the Planning Committee endorsed the recommendation unanimously. Mr. Miklave said in the transmittal of the documents it was not clear that the appropriate documents had been presented to the Council and therefore they asked to have this document substituted. He said at the same time there was also a discussion with respect to the affordable housing search officer for the Department of Health; that is not included in the CDBG grant money this year.
Rev. Olmstead-Sawyer asked what the scaling down of the program would do to the playground.
Mr. Sheehan said the Housing Authority had worked with Alan Lo and it was determined that the increase in cost was due to a protective layer that was put underneath the equipment and this required on-going maintenance. He continued to say that what they came up with were wood chips instead of the underlay that is just as protective.
Rev. Olmstead-Sawyer asked what playgrounds would effected by this. Mr. Sheehan said he was not sure of the playgrounds in question and said that Mr. Lo would know more about this as he had been working with the Housing Authority.
Rev. Olmstead-Sawyer said she could not see how the wood chips could replace the foam protective layer. Mr. Sheehan stated that it was a matter of expense and there is no other playground in the city that has this type of foam layer.
Rev. Olmstead-Sawyer asked what is currently there. Mr. Sheehan replied that they have sand there and added that the equipment is quite old. He added that the original request was not for one playground it was in fact for two and they are now down to one, King Kennedy.
** AMENDMENT PASSED UNANIMOUSLY BY VOICE VOTE.
** MAIN MOTION AS AMENDED PASSED UNANIMOUSLY BY VOICE VOTE.
1. Authorize the Norwalk Public Schools to file and apply for a School Building Grant for Re-roofing at Roton Middle, Wolfpit Elementary, Jefferson Elementary and Silvermine Elementary Schools.
** MR. MIKLAVE MOVED APPROVAL OF THE ITEMS.
Ms. Bain stated that since she had learned that when an item was tabled there can be no discussion, therefore she wished to ask if this action was in concurrence of the Board of Education.
Mayor Knopp asked Ms. Twomey if she had received a reply from Mr. Opdahl regarding this. Ms. Twomey replied that they did not but the Board of Education had requested a letter to be written pertaining to the expenses that would have been approved in the capital budget; she added that there had been a discrepancy in the numbers.
Ms. Bain said she was concerned that communication had been made with the Board of Education on this issue.
** MS BAIN MOVED TO TABLE ITEMS VII. D 1 AND 2 TO THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING.
** MOTION TO TABLE PASSED UNANIMOUSLY BY VOICE VOTE.
1. Authorize the Mayor, Alex A. Knopp, to execute any and all documents and agreements necessary for the execution of site lease with SBC/SNET for antenna space for the Office of Emergency Management.
** MR. MIKLAVE MOVED APPROVAL OF THE ITEM.
Mr. Poruban excused himself and left the Common Council chambers.
Mayor Knopp indicated that what they have done is to work out an agreement for the utilization of the SNET antenna tower for the use by the Office of Emergency Management. He said this is a much more cost effective way of dealing with this and the Norwalk Radio Club will be involved.
Mr. Bondi joined the meeting at 8.20pm.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY BY VOICE VOTE.
Mr. Poruban re-joined the meeting.
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V. COUNCIL PRESIDENT
B. OTHER GENERAL COUNCIL BUSINESS
Mr. Miklave stated that he had received a correspondence of April 15, 2003 from the State of Connecticut Sitting Council and that in response to this Council asking for a public hearing (during last week's meeting) with regard to the power line. Mr. Miklave reported that a hearing would be held on April 30, 2003 at the Brien McMahon High School Auditorium in Norwalk at 7.00 pm; and an evidentiary hearing has also been scheduled for May 12, 2003 at 10.00 am at the Institute of Technology and Business Development, 185 Main Street, New Britain. Mr. Miklave reported that the letter is signed by the Chairman of the Sitting Council.
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VIII. RESOLUTIONS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS
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