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COMMON COUNCIL ACTION
NOVEMBER 20, 2001
NORWALK, CONNECTICUT 8:00PM DST, COMMUNITY ROOM
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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 organizational meeting of the Common Council of the City of Norwalk was held on Tuesday, November 20, 2001, in the Community Room, City Hall, 125 East Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut. Mayor Alex Knopp announced at 8:10 p.m. that the Swearing In Ceremony would begin and the Rev. Joseph Clemens led the assembly in prayer. Mayor Knopp then welcomed all to the Swearing In Ceremony and Organizational Meeting. He asked that the children of the Council Members come to the front of the room and he then led the assembly in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. After that God Bless America was sung.
Mayor Knopp conducted the swearing in of the following Council Members:
Betsy H. Bain Jeanette Olmstead-Sawyer
Fred A. Bondi Christopher R. Perone
Barbara P. Hudgins Kevin M. Poruban
Bruce I. Kimmel Judith Rivas
William M. Krummel Douglas W. Sutton
Joseph E. Mann Peter A. Wien
Matthew T. Miklave William F. Wrenn
Mayor Knopp then announced that Judge Douglas Mintz would administer the Oath of Office to the following elected officials and the Rev. James Stintson offered the Benediction:
Donna King City Treasurer Peter Bondi Constable Sylvester Maultsby 2nd Tax Dist Comm.
Clyde Tinnen City Sheriff George Fludd Constable John Mola 3rd Tax Dist Treasurer
Martha Lemmon Selectman Fred Bondi Constable John Aldrich 6th Tax Dist Comm.
Susan Hamilton Selectman Jonathan Major Constable Wilson Hatchl 6th Tax Dist Treasurer
Brian Smith Selectman
Mayor Knopp called the organizational meeting to order at 8:20 p.m. and asked Ms. Roman to call the roll. He also asked that anyone who wished to speak this evening sign up to do so now.
Betsy Bain Jeanette Olmstead-Sawyer
Fred Bondi Christopher Perone
Barbara Hudgins Kevin Poruban
Bruce Kimmel Judith Rivas
William Krummel Douglas Sutton
Joseph Mann Peter Wien
Matthew Miklave William Wrenn
Fourteen (14) Members were present at Roll Call.
There were none.
III. MAYOR
A. RESIGNATIONS AND APPOINTMENTS
14 Old Lantern Place
Norwalk, CT 06851
Term: 11/20/01 – 11/18/03
Mayor Knopp stated that the new Corporation Counsel for the City was a District Attorney with municipal background. He noted that he was also a former State Senator and former elected Member of the Board of Education, Board of Taxation and Chamber of Commerce.
416 Rowayton Avenue
Norwalk, CT 06854
Term: 11/20/01 – 11/18/03
Mayor Knopp stated that the new City Clerk had been an organizer in the community events of the 350th Anniversary Celebration and the SoNo Arts Festival. He went on to state that he felt she would do a wonderful job and asked the Council Members to confirm her position as City Clerk. The Mayor asked the Members if any discussion was needed regarding this nomination and being there was none, the vote was unanimous for Pam Stark as the new City Clerk. He then administered the Oath of Office to Ms. Stark.
B. REMARKS
Mayor Knopp welcomed the assembly and stated that this was a great moment in the history of Norwalk. He added that arising out of the mandate of the City, Norwalk had the opportunity to improve and change. He remarked that he was proud to serve with the Members and noted that since they were all of the same political affiliation it posed a special obligation to ensure that all points of view were heard. Mayor Knopp advised that they would make a special effort to inform all about committee meetings and such. Nonetheless, he said, the great variety of points of view would be heard and taken into consideration. He asked that all people volunteer for agencies and committees and to attend meetings and hearings. He stressed that he wanted input from all so that the decisions that the Administration would make would be the best ones for the City. Mayor Knopp closed by asking the assembly to continue to work with them so they could do their best for the City.
C. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Mr. Steve Papadakos, addressed the Council. He congratulated the new Administration and noted that he was present tonight to speak neither for nor against it. He stated that on a personal note it had been unfortunate that no other position could be found for his wife. He cited that the Mayor’s recurring statement that no employee would lose his or her job did not hold true for his wife who had given 14 years of service to the City. He mentioned that she was 10 ˝ months away from receiving full retiring health benefits. Mr. Papadakos closed by stating that since Mayor Knopp had said that he respected the people he should consider someone who had served the City well.
IV. COUNCIL PRESIDENT
Mr. Kimmel stated that the position of Council President was not any easy job. He pointed out that people who attended Council meetings might think that the Council President’s role was to read the Consent Calendar. He noted that the Council President was the voice of the Council often with the press and at various activities. He advised that the Council relied on the Council President to make their views known to the public. He remarked that the Council President had to be knowledgeable of all issues that were dealt with by the Council, whether it was a reporter talking to him or someone on the street. Mr. Kimmel said that the Council President also had to work closely with the Mayor to ensure that the Mayor and the Council Members were on the same page. Lastly, he said that the Council President had to possess rather sophisticated interpersonal skills, a sense of diplomacy and tact because that person would find themselves in situations where they would have to maintain dignity. Mr. Kimmel went on to say that the Council President would have to speak for the Council Members on a variety of issues and he was nominating someone who would make an excellent Council President and would communicate the desires of all, Mr. Joseph Mann. Mr. Kimmel closed by stating that he hoped the Members would vote for Mr. Mann this evening and elect him the Council President.
** MR. KIMMEL MOVED APPROVAL OF THE NOMINATION OF JOSEPH MANN FOR COMMON COUNCIL PRESIDENT.
** MR. BONDI SECONDED.
Mr. Bondi stated that it gave him real pleasure to second the nomination for Mr. Mann as Council President. He relayed how he had served on the Council in the past with Mr. Mann and he felt that Mr. Mann had done a very good job. He added that it had been his pleasure to serve with him for 4 years. He remarked that Mr. Mann had learned quickly and performed his duties with a lot of distinction even though he was in a difficult 12 to 3 minority at the time. Mr. Bondi closed by stating that he felt it would be a lot different now that the ratio was 15-0 and it gave him great pleasure to second this nomination.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY BY VOICE VOTE.
Mr. Mann thanked God for the many blessings that were showered on him and he thanked his colleagues for their display of confidence. He remarked that there were others sitting at the table that would do a superb job and that the Body had chosen him was an honor and a privilege. He stated that he would serve with honor and distinction in representing the Council and the City. Mr. Mann thanked Mr. Kimmel for nominating him and he acknowledged that he was so much the better for having served with Mr. Kimmel. He acknowledged Mr. Bondi for his encouraging words in seconding the nomination. Mr. Mann then acknowledged his wife, Shirley, and stated that she was his biggest supporter, adding that he loved and appreciated her. He also acknowledged his parents and stated that when he was honored his parents were honored as well. He then acknowledged his daughter, Crystal, a junior at Norwalk High School and his four sisters. Lastly, he acknowledged all who came out and supported him and all the Members.
Mr. Mann stated that the new Mayor could count on Council support and noted that they would do everything possible to ensure that the cooperative approach the people wanted would be maintained. He remarked that he felt that people recognized and appreciated the true leadership skills that Mayor Knopp demonstrated throughout his campaign. He stated that everyone in the Administration had different roles to perform but their goal was the same: That all the streets were safe, that the parks were maintained, that open space was protected and that education and the schools were addressed. Mr. Mann remarked that the Members agreed that a cooperative effort was best and that the people were their greatest resource. He stated that they had heard the cry of the people and knew that they wanted change. He said that this was a new day, the old were behind them and the new was here. He closed by stating that it was real as evidenced by them all being present tonight and in cooperation with the people they would make change a lasting reality. He added: "God bless America, Norwalk and everyone".
Mayor Knopp thanked Mr. Mann and congratulated him.
Mr. Mann stated that the Majority Leader for this Council would be Mr. Kimmel. He went on to state that Mr. Kimmel was a real gentleman and a true scholar.
Mr. Mann announced the following Committee Appointments:
Finance/Claims Committee
Chairman – Mr. Kimmel
Mr. Baker, Mr. Mann, Mr. Miklave, Mr. Perone, Mr. Sutton
Land Use and Building Management Committee
Chairman – Mr. Krummel
Mr. Bondi, Mr. Kimmel, Ms. Olmstead-Sawyer, Mr. Sutton, Mr. Wrenn
Ordinance Committee
Chairman – Mr. Wrenn
Mr. Miklave, Ms. Olmstead-Sawyer, Mr. Perone, Mr. Poruban, Mr. Wien
Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs Committee
Chairman – Mr. Bondi
Ms. Bain, Mr. Baker, Ms. Hudgins, Mr. Perone, Mr. Wien
Personnel Committee
Chairman – Mr. Sutton
Ms. Bain, Mr. Bondi, Ms. Hudgins, Mr. Miklave, Mr. Wien
Planning Committee
Chairman - Mr. Miklave
Ms. Bain, Mr. Baker, Mr. Mann, Ms. Rivas, Mr. Wrenn
Public Health and Welfare Committee
Chairwoman – Ms. Rivas
Ms. Hudgins, Mr. Krummel, Mr. Mann, Ms. Olmstead-Sawyer, Mr. Wien
Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Committee
Chairman - Mr. Poruban
Mr. Bondi, Ms. Baker, Mr. Kimmel, Mr. Krummel, Ms. Rivas
Public Works Committee
Chairman - Mr. Perone
Mr. Kimmel, Ms. Olmstead-Sawyer, Mr. Poruban, Ms. Rivas, Mr. Wrenn
4. Adopt Council Rules
** MS. RIVAS MOVED APPROVAL OF THE RULES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL IN 1985 AND AMENDED ON MARCH 12, 1996.
** MR. KIMMEL SECONDED.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY BY VOICE VOTE.
** MR. MANN MOVED APPROVAL OF THE APPOINTMENT.
Mr. Mann stated that everyone knew that Ms. Roman had been a dedicated, outstanding and professional City Clerk in the past and added that she exemplified public service.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY BY VOICE VOTE.
Mayor Knopp congratulated Ms. Roman and he asked to step forward to be sworn in.
V. REPORTS: DEPARTMENTS, BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
A. CORPORATION COUNSEL
** MR. KRUMMEL MOVED APPROVAL OF THE ITEM.
** MR. BONDI SECONDED.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY BY VOICE VOTE.
VI. ADJOURNMENT
** JOSEPH MANN MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING.
** MR. BONDI SECONDED.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY BY VOICE VOTE.
The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Ann Marie DeLuca
Telesco Secretarial Service
ATTEST: __________________________________
Pam Stark, City Clerk
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