Miklave and McQuiad, Kydes are absent, Poruban and Coffey sneak in after Roll call.

They accept the minutes with minor corrections, and omigawd Kevin Poruban finds a typos and tells the common council about it. He makes other adjustments to stuff he is quoted as saying. And corrects the Mayor’s “Different Stokes for Different Folks” comment.

Public Participation:

Chelsea Kordas: Center of Community Youth program speaking in favor of the resolution against childhood abuse resolution. Asks the council if any one knows the number of abused children in Norwalk, 246 children was the answer. Cites three reasons to support the resolution. Gives an 800 number to report a case of child abuse …. Thanks Romano for writing and researching the resolution.

John Lombardi: Speaking on Responsible Contractors Ordinance. Thinks it should be called unionized socialized construction ordinance. He says that it forces the people who bid to show a run off the salaries of employees so that unions could see what the pay is. Says it puts the City in a position to have to check all this for when construction is being done. Thinks that the $400k threshold be reviewed every year because construction costs rise. Points to an example in tonight’s agenda. Thinks it would affect the property taxes.

Bobby Burgess: Speaking as voice of the pople on the planning committee item. During the last 3-4 weeks, met with Bruce Morris and Frank Zullo to talk about the 20 Water street. Says that they want 10% affordable housing should be onsite. They came to agreement that 4 units should be onsite. Agreed that 7 one bed room be and then went to RDA and came up with some units (he kinda rambles on what the units are) they think they have a deal and hopes that the common council approves the plan.

Frank Zullo: Represents Taragon. The 13 off site units were tabled by the planning commission. The reason that they are here tonight is to preserve the façade of the, that was the deal made with zoning. They can not save the façade and do the affordable units. Explains the deals that were made. Claims that the façade will cost $1 million to retain. Urges that politics be put aside and that the 17 plan be adopted. Hopes that common council approves it.

Resignation and Appointments:

Martha Lemmon resigned and Theresea Quelll appointed to Board of Health. Herb Grant and Doug Hempstead speaks to Theresa’s qualifications.
Unanimous Appointment.

Adam Blank for Zoning Commission Alternate. Mike Coffey and Carvin Hilliard speaks to Adam’s qualifications.

Unanimous Appointment.

Mayors Remarks:
Passed out a report on the Arts and Culture Commission. Thinks its been doing great since he started it. Just expanded the information and expands Norwalk’s offerings in the arts, culture and entertainment.

Speaks to shooting in Washington Village, are increasing patrols and are taking action to ensure that the city is safe. Recognizes Phyllis Bolden, and says we must all work together to keep Norwalk safe and fight crime. Reminds that they are using asset forfeiture money for the Police overtime.

Council President speaks to Consent Calendar.

On the consent calendar were items that allowed an upgrade of active directory for the IT department, the Nrowalk Seaport Association’s use of the “show mobile” and the abandonment of Putnam Avenue North (between Pine Street extension and and Reed street). Plus the usual contracts that keep the city going.

Doug Hempstead clarifies the consent to add 7 A 3 , there was some confusion on whether it was consent to add or on the consent calendar.

Motion is Made refer 7 A 2 back to the planning committee.

Motion is Made to refer ??? back to the planning Committee

Bill Krumell there was no quorum of the planning committee asked that 7 C 1 be moved to be back to committee. Roll Call Back to Planning

Coffey, Romano, Prouban, Sutton, Grant, Bondi, Hempstead, Straniti, Briggs all No

Bolden, Hilliard, Krummel say Yes

Romano makes to a motion to discussion.

Poruban asks Tim Sheehan a question about any agreement about to have units on site. Sheehan said the amendment was to have the units offsite.

Coffey: asks question about why a state official was aksing why a state an official negotiating on city functions.

Sheehan: This council has put forward that the community get engaged. The community got involved because they heard back about the planning committee was handling the affordable units. There was community concern. Asks that council be kept in the loop. Does not see the purpose of not involving the community in the process.

Hilliard: Says that the Affordable Housing appeals act, that the units have to be on the application. And the same size and same anemies.

Sheehan: Questions which act Hilliard is referring to. Says that Hillaird is unclear about which act he is referring to.

Hilliard: Says there is an amendment in 2000 that says they have to file an application witht hat stated.

Sheehan: Questions that.

Bondi: Asks where the offsite will be located.

Sheehan: Within a 3 mile radius.

Bondi: Questions the affordable units already existing.

Sheehan: Explains why they have to be deed restricted in order to count for Affordable housing.

Bondi: Is concerned that there is not 13 new additional units being added.

Hempstead: Asks about time frame about the affordable units and whether it is happening together.

Sheehan: Says that they can’t go to zoning site plan approval until those units are aquired.

Hempstead: So they would show ownership.

Sheehan: yes.
Hempstead: If the applicant tears the building down, they would not have to come back to the common council.

Sheehan: you approved an urban renewal plan amendment allows for the preservation of the façade. As long as the new plan was consistent with zoning it would progress without council approval. Speaks to trying to preserve that façade and that the extra floor was a result of preserving the façade. Could end up with more offsite housing and no housing.

Hemapstead: So wants to record that ownership will be required prior to the approval of the project. And that there won’t be an “opps that the façade” fell down. The credibility would lost.

Mayor: In other words no Sunday knockdowns.

Krummel: Thanks Bondi for raising an important questions. Talking about the 13 offsite units owned by develop Karl Kheuner and that they are rental units.. They are occupied.

Sheehan: The leases could be renewed to comply with the affordable housing act.

Krummel: In my view we have added affordable housing units by deed restriction. They are not really available. Inclined to vote against the item because they are not getting new affordable units. Concerned about diversity in housing. Feels like he has been mislead.

Sheehan: Clarifies that Krummel is saying improving units in South Norwalk.

Krummel: Thinks we have to be concerned with availability of the units.

Sheehan: How is this not being met.

Krummel: continues on leasing arrangements and backs and forths with Sheehan because he can’t understand that affordable units that count in Norwalk and units that are currently rented might be affordable, but they don’t count.

Hilliard: Quesitons offsite affordable housing.

Sheehan: Stamford has the provision and so does Norwalk.

Grant: This is still a proposal. The 17 additional units, or 13 there’s no timeline linked to the concept.

Candace Shaeffer: By zoning there is a timeline. They have applied for a demolition permit and utilities. They need approvals to move forward.

Zullo: Reads from the Zoning ordinance and shows that no certificate of occupancy.

Grant: If the units are occupied and are then deed restricted what happens to the people that live there.

Shaeffer: THe people who would live in the deed restricted have to fit the criteria to continue to live there.

Grant: If the income exceeds the deed restriction.

Sheehan: It prohibits displacement. Your lease would have to expire, if you did not meet the income qualifications.

Grant: So I’m out of that facility, and I’m homeless.

Zullo: We are at 10.8%. We haven’t taken it to consideration all the new units being built that in 2010 we are going to be under the 10%.

Bondi: Where is 50 Connecticut ave.

Sheehan: Across of Toys R us and 1.5 miles away

There was more back and forth but I was answering a question.

They are talking about the requirement of a new unit for new unit or just adding affordable units to the counts.

Hempstead: We are getting more than we originally going to get. This is a net gain and we are preserving the historic façade.

Coffey: We are committed to affordable housing, and we should strive to be more open.

Makes Motion to Send it back to committee
Coffey, Grant, Bolden, Hilliard, Boindi, Krummel vote teo send it back to committee
Poruban, Romano, Sutton, Hempstead, Straniti, Briggs, Moccia vote not to send it back

Votes to approval plan

Coffey, Prosuabn, Romano, Sutton, Bonsi, Hempstead, Straniti, Briggs, Vote yes

Grant, Bolden, Hilliard, Krummel Vote No

Plan passes 8-4

Krummel: questions financing on pension fund. Questions sole discretion clause in the fund contribution.

Moccia: Says krummel might want GASB instead of the GAO.

Hey its 10:24 and Krummel is actually awake.

Peter Nolin: Says he might have to defer to outside fiancial counsel.

Moccia: Explains language, and how the establishment of the fund meets the accrual basis that GASB requires.

Krummel: Is questioning the language because he wants the fund to be set up correct.

Moccia: reads the whereas clause on the first page of the pension funding.

Nolin: suggests language that would meet krummel’s concern.

Krummel: makes the amendment that it is administrated with GASB requirements.

They vote unanimously ont eh amedment and the creation of the pension fund.

Coffey makes an a text amendment about apprentice hiring that …. Poruban then hands out the text language change.

Briggs: That language in enforcement be tightened.

Hempstead made a text amendment on making a $50k threshold.

Moccia: Agrees that that for emergency repairs that it is probably a good idea.

Vote on amendment:

Coffey, Poruban, Sutton, Bolden, Hilliard, Bondi, Briggs, Krummel vote No
Romano, Hempstead, Straniti vote yes
Grant Abstained

Hempstead makes amendment to change effective date Nov 30th.

Amendment fails

Vote on amendment:

Coffey, Poruban, Sutton, Bolden, Hilliard, Briggs, Krummel vote No
Romano, Hempstead, Straniti Bondi vote yes
Grant Abstained

Amendment fails

Hempstead makes and amendment that clarifies the language about the exemption of paving and roadwork

Coffey, Poruban, Sutton, Grant ,Bolden, Hilliard, Briggs, Krummel vote No
Romano, Hempstead, Straniti Bondi vote yes

Amendment fails

Poruban: Expresses appreciation for Coffey putting this on. Asks that Hempstead’s text amendments be considered.

Vote on Ordinance:

Coffey, Poruban, Sutton, Bolden, Hilliard, Briggs, Krummel, Grant , Bondi, Romano vote Yes
Hempstead, Straniti vote No

The Ordinance passes 10-2
Krummel: Motions the RFP jointly with other towns. To figure out what to do with trash.

Alvord: Says $100k plus what it I solid waste account will be about $260k to fund the study.

Voted unanimously.

After some discussion they approved Joanne Romano’s resolution that the city of Norwalk recommends a citywide adoption of policies for city employees who deal with children should follow.

They then went into executive session.