I decided to use the Norwalk Common Council Meeting of 03/12/07 as test of live blogging, sort of. Following the BET meeting the other night, I realized that in taking hand written notes, I still had to craft the post. That took a wee bit of time, so I figured that nothing much was happening at the Common Council meeting so it would be a good test.
Ah well, the audience size should have been a tip off. The meeting opened with the color guard presentation by Girl Scout Troop, possibly celebrating their 75th anniversary. A nice reminder that the work of the council will largely affect this generation more than the current one in terms of the long term investments in infrastructure and quality of life here in Norwalk. Mayor Richard Moccia proclaimed this week to be Girl Scout Week and a couple of the girls read aloud the proclamation.
Rick McQuaid-R thanked the troops for performing, and rattled off all the troops [ Troop 112 form columbus 280 from columbus 464 a muti-town troop and 685 from Naramake school (and I missed one) ]
This happy, council as a united government of the people moment, quickly went away with the mundane task of approving the last council meeting minutes. In the end, they voted to table minutes from last meeting because Matt Miklave-D questioned whether E1 was in the consent calendar, or not.
Then onto the public Portion of Meeting. I paraphrased most of this, and apologize to anyone whose name I misspelt and to the Englsih language which I routinely mangle.
Marilyn Robinson spoke first. She was the former president of the historical commission, and reminded the council of that. She was speaking about Bill Krummel no longer being the council member assigned to the Historical Commission. On the agenda was the item that Richard McQuaid was being nominated. She said, “Bill Krummel has done a wonderful job.†She mentioned that Krummel chairs some committee that she questions what the impact will be on that committee should he no longer be the appointee.
Gail Wall spoke next. She reminded the council that she was speaking as Vice Chair Historical Commission, and thanked Krummel for his service. To Wall, Krummel “brought a lot of passion and interest.†She was concerned that the makeup of historical commission is unbalanced 6 republicans 2 democrats, and 2 unaffilates. She asked that the council table the appointment. She asked that the council, “Select a council member that has a strong interest in historical community.” She suggested either Gwenn Briggs, Carvin Hilliard, Bill Krummel and Kevin Poruban.†This change, according to her, was not in best interest of the city. It’s funny that she included Kevin Poruban as a selectee, since he didn’t win his seat, he replaced a council member who moved out of Norwalk.
Next up was Marny Smith who was here to thank the council for something she thought they would do tonight. She is president of the Norwalk Land Trust, and spoke in appreciation of the conservation easement on the 10 acre Hart peninsula property. She thanked Fred Bondi, Gwenn Briggs, Mike Coffey and all of the council for understanding the value to natural open space.
Then we got a series of lawyers.
Brian Daly: He represents Devon Acura, and read the owner comments. Devon Acura took initiative to improve their property, which effectively improved the west ave neighborhood. About 20 thousand people come annually to purchase or service cars there. An auto dealership requires showroom and parking facilities, including ready access to the car inventory and to view cars etc. The parking component is essential to the business. He said there was a great deal of positive talks with integration but the conceptual plan before the council does reflect those conversations. The plan needs to be changed to integrate Devon Acua. [this plan is on display in hallway of city hall] The property size has been reduced from what Devon currently has, and designated as small business or restaurant. The plan also asks for condemnation which puts Devon out of business. Seligsen hasn’t presented an updated plan. Redevelopment was never intended to impact good businesses, such as Devon which is a $40 million a year business.
John Louisos: Attorney for Curry Tire. He made a point of reminding the council that Curry Tire was established 1929, and survived great depression. Since May 2006 outlined legal flaws with plan, procedural flaws. He read them really fast, so I didn’t quote catch them, but so here they are:
1. does not comply section 8-125 for blight (presented may 2006)
2. 8-125 no factual basis qualifies as redevelopment area
3. essential to complete adequate ???
4. 8-27 no public hearing 8-125
5. Defective not a substandard, deteriorating, or ….
6. Admitted goals and objectives, to create west ave economic social destination and urban ???
7. Defective because it does not contribute crime and disease
8. Economic and social liability continuation?
9. Approval was void in May, because eminent domain was not authorized
Essentially he summarized these procedural defects, and so the council shouldn’t vote for this. Client has shown all the errors, and the council should not allow a perpetual fiefdom on redevelopment agency of the city. Ha. That was a good line, but the guy really speaks to fast.
Charles Willinger: Attorney for 3 owners within West ave, 4 Merwin st llc, S and S management inc 16 chapel street, and European auto center llc, 535 west ave. Clients advised that that have appeared before the council and other agencies and that they want to stay in this area, and none of those concerns have been acknowledged. Willinger claimed they got nothing but an “Insulting offer from developerâ€. Nothing inherently fair or just with eminent domain. Particularly when city’ intention is to turn over private property to private developer. Be fair or litigate, like maritime motors. Now these clients will fight in terms of land use approvals, on many levels and challenging the plan. The decision as to which way we go is up to the council.
Stanley Selgisen: Okay he’s not a lawyer, but a developer. He opened with the brief historical bio of over past 20 years, he’s been active in trying ot keep west ave alive. (Interesting because West ave hasn’t exactly ever been dead.) He developed Loehman’s plaza, maintained it, improved west ave corridor, done other projects, Costco Circuit City, Sports Authority the building in front of Costco, (Norwalk Hospital). He reminded the council that a great deal of money has been spent, 76 meetings have been held. He regrets that he wasn’t able to fight local businesses owners that were fighting a Macy’s going to the Norwalk mall. Considers this project to be his legacy to Norwalk. In any kind of redevelopment plan, you never are going to satisfy everyone. His intention to work with every property owner. It’s interesting that he brings up the Macy’s because anyone who has spend a little time watching department store consolidations has seen the promise of big department store failings, particularly in Connecticut. G. Fox? Filene’s? I could even say Bradless, Caldor’s and Ames. My point is that developers always seem to focus on the big chains at the expense of the little guy. I am troubled by this, and immediately make a post about eminent domain and post it from the meeting.
Frank Zullo: He was representing Seligsen, which he said started in 1998. He pointed out that they have worked closely with the RDA and the city to make certain that they were aware of the concerns. He repeated that many changes made to plan. Many people in support of the plan are not here tonight, but have expressed this at many meetings previously held. Is concerned about condemnation, but will be “fair and reasonable as possible. Zullo pointed out that Seligsen already owns 50-60% of the property already. Planning committee supported this plan unanimously.
Ed Schmidt: Representing 1428 wall street and 12 main st, the northern half of the Wall street plan. Schmidt objected to extension of time for the use of eminent domain. His argument centered on statutes that said that a legislative body can specify the time that real property can be acquired, can be extended, provided the owner consents to that request. He emphatically stated the the owners have not consented to the extension therefore the council can’t vote on the plan. he urged the council to seek a written opinion on this statutes, which seems like a big deal. In addition to objecting to the extension, he claimed that a modified plan not presented to the owner. He urged the council to table to the plan, and document these procedures so that it was clear who did what should litigation occur.
That concluded the public portion. The council then voted unanimously to appoint Frank Geraghty to Harbor Management Commission. And then they voted to appoint Carvin Hilliard and Kelly Stranitti to the Housing Partnership Commission, and David Turner to the planning commission. Larry Bentley was reappointed to the Licensing Appeals Board – unanimously as well.
The Historical Commisssion appointment drew some interesting audience mutterings and changed from Rick McQuaid to Doug Hempstead.
Kevin Poruban said that he was not aware that postion was coming up and wanted to submit his name. Perhaps he shouldn’t have become a Norwalk-outer. Bill Krummel said this was a very important appointment and reassured Doug Hempstead he held nothing against him but he was concerned that other council people have not had opportunity to be considered for this positon. He motioned to table the the nomination. It failed.
Matt Miklave spoke next and thanked Krummel for his service after initially being reluctant to see him on commission (I think his first impression was probably right) Miklave said that Hempstead will do a wonderful job on commission, but has to comment on the procedure on the appointment. Miklave accused the council of having a behind the scenes deals on the deal and doesn’t think his voice his heard on any issue and thinks that’s a problem. He makes a motion to table too and that fails.
Mike Coffey said ok if other council people want to be considered they should have said so. After some confusion they end up with three names to consider. Hempstead, Poruban and Briggs. Briggs then withdraws her name, and Hempstead wins the nomination after Poruban fails to gather more than 5 votes. It must be frustrating for Poruban to keep getting the lowest vote totals.
Miklave then wants to speak about the consent calendar. He suggests that no one in the audience is fully aware of what the vote is on and mentions that the at the last meeting the Norwalk transit authority left and the debate happened later when they weren’t there. Ok, he probably has a good point, but this stuff is posted on the internet, and you can grab an agenda at the start of the meeting, and Miklave just took too long explaining his point. Coffey seemed annoyed with this, and rereads the consent calendar item by item according to the agenda. It is painful to listen to.
Now there’s a debate going on and Hempstead suggests that they only read the stuff not on consent at the outside to stave off the inevitable Miklave and Nick Kydes showdown. It doesn’t work so it falls to Mayor Moccia to stop it, which it eventually does. Coffey points out that they’ve spent 20 minutes talking about this and they motion to approve the consent calendar.
Matt Miklave tackles the next item which was the West Ave plan approval, and rhetorically asks when is it appropriate to execute eminent domain. He starts by explaining that there the council has offered up different ways to address eminent domain, wall street versus west ave. Undoing the legislation passed for wall street ceded back the authority to the council as a vote on property by property basis. He ends with saying that a vote for resolution is a vote against eminent domain. This was another example of taking too much time to get a point across. Lawyers like to do that. So does Sal Corda. I am thinking that I have now subjected myself to 2 nights of this and clearly must be insane.
But it ends and they vote for it. They finally get to the vote on giving the Hart Peninsula to the Norwalk Land Trust. While this is starting, the lawyers are all leaving noisily and slowly. Fred Bondi remarks that “attorneys in the audience should donate to the land trust.” This started some good natured ribbing amongst the council members. Gwen Briggs promised to make a big donation to the Norwalk Land Trust. Doug Hempstead suggests to Gwen that they won’t take Walter Briggs. Rick McQuaid said apologetically that although they waster time earlier and were not on their best behavior, the council realized that this was an important issue and that they are capable of working together in a nonpartisan fashion to make things like this happen. Joann Roman remarked that she wasn’t aware of the Hart Peninsula and was happy to receive the many emails in support and was happy to vote on something positive for the people of Norwalk. I think every council member spoke in support of this. Mayor Moccia suggested that they skip the dull signing process in his office and instead hold it at the community center. he also said he’s give a donation to the land trust. Bondi said he’d give a check to the land trust too, and Moccia quipped that Bondi would have to give a signed check.
With that the meeting was adjourned.
Update: I fixed some minor typos and added a few articles and conjunctions so that the grammar police would not have major heart attacks, only a minor stroke. Live blogging and editing afterwards was difficult, and I’m not sure I captured what I wanted. But it was a worthwhile experiment.
