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Common Council
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COMMON COUNCIL ACTION
JUNE 24, 2003
NORWALK, CONNECTICUT 8:00PM DST, 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, June 24, 2003, in the Common Council Chambers, City Hall, 125 East Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut. The Mayor, Alex A, Knopp, called the meeting to order at 8.10 pm.
I. ROLL CALL
Betsy Bain Jeanette Olmstead Sawyer
Kenneth Baker Christopher Perone
Fred Bondi (8.15 pm) Kevin Poruban
Carvin Hilliard Judith Rivas
Barbara Hudgins Douglas Sutton
William Krummel Peter Wien
Bruce Kimmel William Wrenn
Matthew Miklave
There were fourteen (14) members present at Roll Call.
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II. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES
** MR. BAKER MOVED APPROVAL OF THE ITEM.
Mr. Bondi joined the meeting at 8.15 pm.
The following corrections were made:
Page 2, second paragraph, in the last sentence change capital to operating. Page 2, under the Mayor’s Remarks correct the spelling of Brien McMahon High School. Page 4, Item VII A 9 was removed from the consent calendar. Page 4, in the heading correct A to read B and on page 5 correct B to read C. Page 5, strike Mr. Miklave’s comments and replace with: Mr. Miklave added consent to remove from the table and place on the agenda for the next regular council meeting, Item VII A 3 from the May 27, 2003 agenda. Page 5, correct to Mr. Wrenn stated he would like to remove Item V11 B 9 from the consent calendar. Page 6, under Item VII B 6, second paragraph, correct the spelling of Ms. Bain. Page 6, fifth paragraph, first line, change regarding to regards. Page 7, third paragraph, second sentence, delete the word and he and replace with the city. Page 7, under VII B 9, Mr. Wrenn abstained rather than opposed.
** MOTION PASSED THIRTEEN VOTES IN FAVOR (MR. HILLIARD ABSTAINED) BY VOICE VOTE.
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III. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
There were no comments from the public this evening.
IV. MAYOR
A. RESIGNATIONS AND APPOINTMENTS
There were none this evening.
Mayor Knopp announced that there will be a special meeting of the Common Council Thursday 26, 2003 at 8.00 pm to take up matters regarding school construction. He stated it is one of the highest priorities in Norwalk to deal with the health and safety of the children by replacing the roofs of the schools for the second year. Unfortunately after the rainiest month of June since 1863 has put back the work of many of the roofing/construction companies. He said they have heard from several companies explaining that it may be difficult to take on the same number of assignments as last year and it is uncertain at this time as to how many roofs will be completed this summer before school opens. The Council meeting for Thursday has been scheduled because the bids for the roofs are to be opened tomorrow (Wednesday) at 2 pm; he said by Thursday the evaluation and ranking will be complete. He also noted that the Adhoc Committee would be able to make the presentation for the most responsible for bidders at this time. Mayor Knopp noted that in order to manage the school construction projects in an orderly way some items on tonight’s meeting would be dealt with during the meeting on Thursday.
Mayor Knopp stated that yesterday the Norwalk Tax Collector’s Office conducted the first tax sale of past real estate in the city’s history. He said this is part of the Administration’s efforts to improve collection of delinquent back taxes. After working on this for several months, there were 93 properties that were four (or more) years in arrears and 51 of those properties pad in full prior to the sale, 7 were removed for technical reasons and 35 were sold. Mayor Knopp congratulated the city’s tax collector, Lisa Biagarelli for organizing this so well and for her hard work.
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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.
A. CORPORATION COUNSEL EXECUTIVE SESSION
NORWALK
VII. COMMON COUNCIL COMMITTEES
A. PLANNING COMMITTEE
2. Approval of a month to month Lease Agreement between the City of Norwalk acting by and through the Norwalk Redevelopment Agency and L & L Evergreen, Inc. with conditions as stipulated at the Planning Committee Meeting of June 16, 2003 (see attached), for the 1.28 acre property located at District 2 Block 60 Lot 1, for a monthly rent of $4,166.67 ($50,000/YR).
3. Authorize the Mayor, Alex A. Knopp, to execute a lease agreement with L & L Evergreen, Inc for the interim use of the city owned property at District 2 Block 60 Lot 1.
B. PERSONNEL COMMITTEE
3. Approve amendments to Police and Fire Pension Plans as required by EGTRRA and authorize Mayor to sign amendments.
C. LAND USE AND BUILDING MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
2. "Authorize the Mayor, Alex A. Knopp, to execute an agreement with Gibble Norden Champion Brown Consulting Engineers, Inc. for professional services for Threshold Peer Review of the Brien McMahon High School/Global Studies renovation project for a total not to exceed $14,750.00. Acct. #09035010 5777 C0237"
3. "Authorize the Mayor, Alex A. Knopp, to execute an agreement with Gilbane Building Company to provide Construction Management Services as the Constructor (CMc) for the Brien McMahon High School/Center for Global Studies Expansion Project. A Partial Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) for Early Bid Packages and a Final GMP for the Balance of the Bid Packages will be submitted to the Common Council for final approval. Said amounts will be based on trade contractors’ bids and fee structure as outlined in the agreement. Acct. #09035010 5777 C0237"
4. "Technical correction of item authorized at the April 8, 2003 meeting, IX. A.1.:
Authorize the Mayor, Alex A. Knopp, to execute an amendment to RCC Consultants Inc.’s consultant contract for Information Technology, to include the design of IT system for the Brien McMahon High School/Center for Global Studies Improvement Project for an mount not to exceed $109,950.00. Account
#09025010 5777 C0237"
Mr. Miklave moved consent to table the next eight (8) items to the next meeting of the Common Council.
5a. "Authorize the Norwalk Public Schools to file an application for a School Building Grant for the Kendall Elementary School Renovation Project."
5b. "Authorize the preparation of schematic drawings and outline specifications for the Kendall Elementary School Renovation Project."
6a. "Authorize the Norwalk Public Schools to file an application for a School Building Grant for the Norwalk High School Window Replacement Project."
6b. "Authorize the preparation of schematic drawings and outline specifications for t he Norwalk High School Window Replacement Project."
7a. "Authorize the Norwalk Public School to file an application for a School Building Grant for the Roton Middle School elevator and wing corridor connectors."
7b. "Authorize the preparation of schematic drawings and outline specifications for the Roton Middle School elevator and wing corridor connectors."
8a. "Authorize the Norwalk Public School to file an application for a School Building Grant for the Tracey Elementary School foiled window units replacement project."
8b. "Authorize the preparation of schematic drawings and outline specifications for the Tracey Elementary School foiled window units replacement project."
Mr. Miklave moved consent to add the following technical correction:
D. RECREATION, PARKS AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
Mr. Sutton requested that Item VII B 2 be removed from the consent calendar.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY BY VOICE VOTE.
B. OTHER GENERAL COUNCIL BUSINESS
There was no other general council business this evening.
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VII. COMMON COUNCIL COMMITTEES
A. PLANNING COMMITTEE
1. Approval of the attached list of programs for inclusion in the Neighborhood Assistance Act Tax Credit Program.
** MS. BAIN MOVED APPROVAL OF THE ITEM.
Mr. Miklave recused himself and left the Council chambers.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY BY VOICE VOTE.
Mr. Miklave rejoined the meeting.
B. PERSONNEL COMMITTEE
2. Approve amendment to hiring range for Director of Public and Director of Finance at $100,000.00 - $110,000.00.
** MR. SUTTON MOVED APPROVAL OF THE ITEM.
Mr. Perone noted the amount for the Director of Public Works. Mayor Knopp said that if they were successful in finding a candidate for this position at the current salary there would be several people in that department who would be earning more money.
Mr. Kimmel stated that he supported the amendment, as the DPW is one of the most important departments in the city.
Mr. Bondi left the meeting at 8.32 pm.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
C. LAND USE AND BUILDING MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
1. This item was tabled by the Common Council to the June 24, 2003 Common Council meeting)
"Authorize the Mayor, Alex A. Knopp, to execute an agreement with Schindler Elevator Corporation (to provide elevator maintenance service for City Hall and various buildings) for the remainder of fiscal year 2002-2003 in the amount not to exceed $1,300.00 per month, fiscal year 2003-2004 in the amount not to exceed $1,350.40 per month, fiscal year 2004-2005 in the amount not to exceed $1,402.99 per month and fiscal year 2005-2006 in the amount not to exceed $1,457.89 per month. Acct. # various operating building accounts.
** MR. KRUMMEL MOVED APPROVAL OF THE ITEM.
Mr. Krummel stated that this Item was tabled from a previous meeting and since that time the Land Use Committee has reviewed the back up material to make sure they were on solid ground. He pointed out that this is $1400 a month maintenance contract that was bid out two and a half years ago. Mr. Krummel noted that the contractor has received praise from many sources including city staff. He added that this was not put out to bid this time and felt that the city was getting a very good deal on this contract.
Mr. Miklave stated that he was opposed to the resolution because this is a $70,000 contract over four years and this was not put out to public bid.
Mr. Bondi re-joined the meeting at 8.37 pm.
Mr. Kimmel stated that he thought they should support this and agreed they should put large ticket items out to bid. However this is $20,000 a year and said that if the purchasing department are expected to bid on every project then they would need to increase their staff. Mr. Kimmel said he was confident this is a really good price.
** MOTION PASSED THIRTEEN (13) VOTES IN FAVOR, THREE (3) VOTES OPPOSED (MR. MIKLAVE, MR. HILLIARD, MR. PORUBAN) BY VOICE VOTE.
9. Authorize the Mayor, Alex A. Knopp, to execute an agreement with Turner Construction Company to provide Construction Management Service as Advisor (CMA) for the 2003 School Roofing Project (8 schools) and Belden Avenue Library for a total not-to-exceed $177,000.00. Acct. # to be determined by the Finance Department.
** MR. KRUMMEL MOVED APPROVAL OF THE ITEM.
Mr. Miklave recused himself and left the Council chambers.
** MR. KRUMMEL MOVED A TECHNICAL AMENDMENT, IN THE THIRD LINE CHANGE TO (UP TO 8 SCHOOLS).
** AMENDMENT PASSED UNANIMOUSLY BY VOICE VOTE.
Mr. Krummel said that due to weather conditions and the delay of the contractors it is important that the roofing projects be finished before term begins in September. He said in order to do this they would like to have a repeat performance by Turner Construction as they did an excellent job last year.
Mr. Kimmel said he supported the item and they should move promptly and whatever they do they will guarantee that they do correctly.
Mayor Knopp acknowledged the work Mr. Opdahl has done to help ensure the completion of last year’s project successfully, on time and in budget and was glad that he was bringing his experience to the projects of this year. The Mayor said the Beldon Library would most likely be done, as there are no time constraints on this.
** MOTION AS AMENDED PASSED UNANIMOUSLY BY VOICE VOTE.
Mr. Miklave re-joined the meeting.
10. Authorize the Mayor, Alex A. Knopp, to execute an amendment to Fletcher Thompson's architectural design services contract, to include design services for furniture, fixture & equipment (FF&E) for a total amount not to exceed $115,000.00 plus reimbursable expenses. Acct # 09035010 5777 C0237.
** MR. KRUMMEL MOVED APPROVAL OF THE ITEM.
** MR. KRUMMEL MOVED A TECHNICAL CORRECTION TO INSERT THE IN THE SECOND LINE (AFTER THE WORD CONTRACT) FOR THE BRIEN MCMAHON HIGH SCHOOL AND GLOBAL STUDIES CENTER.
** AMENDMENT PASSED UNANIMOUSLY BY VOICE VOTE.
Mr. Krummel stated that Fletcher Thompson have been providing excellent service and it is a normal and important part of the process for them to resume responsibility of the FF&E. He noted that this project is on a fast track and there is some concern to get this in place. Mr. Krummel noted that the Land Use Committee has given its recommendation with going forward with the contract.
Mr. Kimmel asked Ms. Bain if this was put out to bid.
Ms. Bain replied that it was no put out to bid; she added that there was a great advantage in having the architect also doing the FF&E because then there is total coordination.
** MOTION AS AMENDED PASSED UNANIMOUSLY BY VOICE VOTE.
The Mayor stated that they would now take up the technical correction that was added by consent, Item VII D 1
D. RECREATION, PARKS AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
1. Authorize the Mayor, Alex A. Knopp, to execute an agreement with TriFitness LLC for the use of Calf Pasture Beach for the Nor