Common Council 4/28/09

Common Council MTG 4/28/09

Attending: Krummel, Serasis, Brown, Duleep, Lindstrom, Hilliard, Geake, Moccia, Maslan, Bolden, Bondi, Straniti, Conroy, Bonenfant, Kydes, Hempstead, McQuaid

They open with a moment of silence for Don Reid and Mario Salomone who recently passed.

They approve the minutes after corrections by Lindstrom, Bondi, Krummel and Brown abstains because she wasn’t at the last meeting the rest vote in favor.

Public Commentary:

Tod Bryant: In support of the $25k grant from the Connecticut Preservation Trust for the preservation of historic buildings in Norwalk. Says that today the National Preservation Trust has released a list of 11 most endangered properties list.

Richard Mcgregor: Retiring from parks department on Thursday and thanks the council and all the councils for support in his work for the city. Says that he hopes that the parks continue to be supported and that it is an important quality of life issue. Says will still be recording the council meetings.

Resignations & Appointments:

Ellen Wink resigns from Redevelopment Agency. Voted unanimously.

Lisa Cooper appointed to Redevelopment Agency.

Bolden: Speaks in favor of Ms. Cooper. Has worked with her the past.

Hilliard: Speaks in favor of Ms. Cooper. Very active and intelligent.

Serasis: Has worked with Ms. Cooper in the after school alliance and is a pleasure to work with.

Voted unanimously.

Bondi reminds audience that Coper is a Democrat. Moccia reminds Krummel that he kept his word.

Ellen Wink appointed as City Clerk.

There’s some discussion if there’s a council confirmation. Maslan investigates and yes it requires a council confirmation.

Kydes: Speaks in favor and nominates.

Hempstead: Supports “Winkie” and says she’s a go-getter. Advises council that if you eat with Ellen, don’t order onion pizzas, and that she’s got big shoes to fill in replacing Mary Roman.

Moccia: Says we have one city clerk that wins medals and one coming in that rides motorcylcles.

Straniti: Speaks in favor.

Boenefant: says “We put two people on from district, Thanks!”

Serasis: Seconds Bonenfant’s comment.

Bolden: Speaks in favor “you have very big sneakers to fill.”

Voted unanimously.

Mayor Remarks:

Says that reception for retirees was Thursday and that all have been thanked for their service. He’s been in many City Halls throughout the state and says that Norwalk’s workers have provided great service over the years and that all retirees are welcome back to visit and kibitz.

Mentions that there’s been a meeting on Swine Flu and that there are plans and procedures in place in the event that there’s a problem in Norwalk. Has encouraged Corda and Health Department to encourage people to wash their hands, stay home if unwell and stay away from sick people.

There’s a fundraiser for the Italian Earthquake victims that the Mayor’s office, and the two Italian clubs in town. There’s no ticket price, but wine and cheese will be served. Thanks Bondi for the Sons of Italy and Stew Leonard’s donations. The event is to be held in the Community Room.

Council President remarks:

Bolden: Says in addition to the Italian earthquake that Mexican victims also need help. Speaks about Arbor Day celebration at Cranbury school.

Kydes: Also in his prayers.

Bolden: Reads the consent calendar.

Hempstead: Wants to add the JAG grant to the consent calendars

Serasis: Says he has to abstain on 7 1, 2, & 3

Consent Calendar

They vote unanimously on all items except VII B 4 WPCA Operating Budget.

VII B 4 WPCA Operating Budget.

The first item off consent is the WPCA Operating Budget.

Hillaird: Says that he’s against it because single family homes are being treated unfairly.

Moccia: Asks that he make a motion to the floor.

Hempstead: He goes back for several years with the same mind on this issue. They had asked for a study to be done by the WPCA to investigate the issue. Thinks that people should charge by usage instead of a flat fee. Said that he will support in because last year he said as along as there was a study done, and that he will keep his word.

Bonenfant: Complements Hilliard for not agreeing on the issue and still moving forward.

Conroy: Says that they went to Danbury to check out the ease of operating and cost effective. Says that we should stick with what is working until it is demonstrated otherwise.

Krummel: Says that the WPCA is very professional run, and that includes OMI. Points out that the report that on page 2-3 that there are hardship exemptions allowed by the state statute and that fees paid can be lowered to low income housing and the elderly. On section 2-4 it also references that. Says that there is a state statute that guides how to implement lower fees for low income people and the elderly. It si something to consider which ever they go, flat fee or consumption. Section 2-5 encourages consumption based billing. Says that the WPCA should implement consumption based billing. Study is lacking the comparison of consumption based billing, and that the study has no difference between commercial versus residential discharges. Says that they are very different in discharges. Thinks that the report should relief to residential as a result. Says going forward that the WPCA will make a strong effort to go to consumption based billing.

They do roll call vote on this.

Bondi Y

Brown Y

Geake N

McQuaid Y

Duleep Y

Bonenfant Y

Serasis N

Bolden A

Hillaird N

Kydes Y

Lindstrom Y

Hempstead A

Straniti Y

Conroy Y

Krummel Y

Bondi Y

Geake Y

McQuaid Y

Duleep Y

Bonenfant Y

Serasis Y

Bolden Y

Hilliard Y

Kydes Y

Lindstrom Y

Hempstead A

Straniti Y

Conroy N

Krummel N

11-3-2 The issue passes.

They suspend the rules to make a resolution to Mary Roman. Phylis Bolden reads the resolution, which outlines the many organizations that Roman has volunteered and thanks her for her long service to the City of the Norwalk, that she is a record breaking athlete and that she has a room filled with medals. The Common Council wishes her a healthy and happy retirement.

Moccia: Says it was hard to get the resolution and not on the agenda when the agenda is done in his office by Mary Roman.

Roman: Thanks the council and says that she will be continuing on in Parks and Recs helping out with the beach stickers.

McQuaid: Says nice things and hopes to compete to and win now that Roman has retired.

Roman: Says that McQuaid is now the only one left who knows where the time capsule is.

Hempstead: Thanks Roman for her service

Moccia skisp Kydes for a moment to much laughter.

Kydes: Claims he has known Roman the longest and has known Roman since Jr. High School, and that she has kept Norwalk humming, not the Mayor.

Moccia: Her husband taught him in Stamford High School.

Bonenfant: Almost ready to challenge Roman for a run around the block since he strated this spring.

Conroy: Thanks Roman for her service.

Stranit: Pleasure to have her in the office thanks her for her service and always admired the fashion and style.

Moccia: Says “Fred I’ve always admired yours �”

Bondi: Also her husband was his teacher in Stamford. Says that Roman is a great friend.

Bolden: Says she remembers her from Merchants Bank. Appreciates her friendliness, help and hard work and wishes her the best.

Maslan: Hopes that she instructed Ellen on where all the old files are and that Roman has been helpful in all the requests he’s made over the years.

Geake: Will miss sitting next to Roman two Tuesdays a month and that he has a standing order for DVDs of the council meeting.

Hilliard: Hopes to run into Roman around town and thanks her for service.

Lindstrom: Knew Roman before she was on the council and has always been very helpful. Wishes her best of luck.

Duleep: Says she has always been struck by her approachable manner and that has set a fabulous example of being a great asset that is always accessible. Echos that her fashion choices have not gone unnoticed.

Brown: Says that she Roman knew where old council documents were and although she is happy for her new life and venture, but she saddened over the loss of great knowledge about the city is leaving.

Serasis: Echos all of what Brown said, and that she’s a classy and patient person and that he remembers when he got his green code book and the inserts and how she helped him “color by numbers”

Krummel: Says Roman has made him feel guilty. He has not filed his changes in the green book. He has a laptop, that is city owned, that he has not returned either. And now feels guilty. Roman represents City Hall to him. While he himself may be a partisan, Roman was never a partisan.

Roman: Asks for an indoor track built somewhere.

Moccia: Says she’s out of office and already acting like a constituent.

There was much laughter and then a suggestion that the council buy her an umbrella.

They move to adjourn.