Public Works & Facilities Commission

PUBLIC WORKS & FACILITIES COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING WEDNESDAY August 12 , 2020 TIME: 6:30 P.M. Via WebEX.com MIDDLETOWN CONNECTICUT Members Present: Councilman Gene Nocera Councilman Ed McKeon Councilman Philip Pessina Councilman Darnell Ford Members Absent: Councilman Ed Ford Jr Staff Present: William Russo, Director of Public Works Kimberly O’Rourke Michael Harris Others: Chair Nocera opened the Public Works & Facilities Commission meeting at 6:30 P.M. Chair Nocera requested a motion to approve the minutes dated July 8, 2020. The motion was made by Councilman Pessina. The motion was seconded by Councilman McKeon and passed unanimously. Chair Nocera made a motion to amend the agenda moving Old Business A and B up. A motion was made by Councilman Pessina. The motion was seconded by Councilman Ford, and passed unanimously. PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS: CORRESPONDENCE: Eversource Transmission Line Maintenance Road Restoration-Letter Agreement- The letter serves as an agreement between the City of Middletown and The Connecticut and Power Company dba Eversource Energy, regarding the request of the City of Middletown relating to the restoration of the curbing, pavement, and other portions of Bartholomew Road affected by Eversource’s Transmission Line Maintenance Structure Replacement Projects. Eversource offers to pay the City of Middletown a onetime payment of $ 100,000.00 as a contribution toward the restoration costs of Bartholomew Road. NEW BUSINESS: a. Tree Donation in memory of Thomas Serra –Torrison Stone & Garden has donated a tree in memory of Councilman Thomas Serra. Maryann and Jane Harris have selected an area at Palmer Field to plant the tree along with a Bio Plaque in honor of Councilman Serra. A motion was made by Councilman Pessina. The motion was seconded by Councilman McKeon, and passed unanimously. b. Present information on Solar Energy Program –Michael Harris has come before the Public Works & Facilities Commission to present a draft of the Solar Energy Program Resolution. Three proposals were received and evaluated; Verogy is the recommended vendor. Under the solar program provided by the selected solar provider results in an annual savings of $27,703.00. A new line item would have to be created under the  Utility Costs entitled “Verogy Solar Energy # 1” in the amount of $39,000 to pay the expected Power Purchase charges associated with Solar Program #1. We would enter into a 20 year Power Purchase Agreement with Verogy to provide design, installation, and ongoing operations and maintenance of the solar energy systems. Michal Harris is here looking for support from the Commission to bring this resolution forward to Finance & Government. A motion was made by Chair Nocera to forward the Resolution over to Finance & Government Commission. The motion was seconded by Councilman Pessina and passed unanimously. c. 2020 Road Bond-Director Russo provided a list of the 2020 Road Bond list. It is composed of 76 projects. The commission reviewed the list. Further discussion ensued. A motion was made by Councilman McKeon to forward to Finance & Government. The motion was seconded by Councilman Pessina and passed unanimously. d. LOCIP funding for tree removal- Director Russo presented to the Public Works & Facilities Commission the Emerald Ash Borer Resolution. It has become necessary for the City of Middletown Public Works Department to remove and trim numerous trees across Middletown that were affected by the Emerald Ash Borer. These needs meet the guideline for projects eligible for Local Capital Projects Improvements Program funds, costing $75,000.00. A motion was made by Councilman Pessina. The motion was seconded by Councilman McKeon and passed unanimously. OLD BUSINESS: a. Multiuse Trail: Newfield St- Mike Doherty from Milone and McBroom has joined the meeting to update the Commission on where we are in the process. Brief over view was given. Further discussion ensued. b. Harbor Park Boardwalk Update-Mike Doherty from Milone and McBroom has joined the meeting to update the Commission. In June of 2019, the Council approved CBDG funds of $300,000.00 for the railings at Harbor Park. Director Russo states that he would like the commissions support in the decision to transfer 3.6 Million dollars from the Country Club Park Pond over to the Harbor Park Boardwalk Project. Director Russo wants to address the safety concerns of the outdated worn boardwalk. The money was originally for synthetic turf on the youth soccer field, but the funds from the park bond are not permitted to be used for synthetic turf. Councilman McKeon is not in favor of using the funds for the boardwalk at this time. He would like to see the funds used for other projects such as the Veterans Memorial Park Pool renovations and installation of a splash pad. He feels that the boardwalk project can be held off for a while longer. At this time, he feels he cannot support it without a Master Plan in place. Further discussion ensued. c. July 2020 Public Works Overtime- the Public Works & Facilities Commission reviewed their monthly reports. There were no questions as the overtime has been at a minimal due to the Covid-19 pandemic. d. July 2020 Building Permits- the Commission reviewed their Building Permits. Building continues to be very busy. One month into the year, we are already at $30,000.00. OTHER: a. July 2020 Monthly Reports- Highway Division- the Public Works & Facilities Commission reviewed their monthly reports for the Highway Division. There were no questions. b. July 2020 Overtime Reports-Parks Division – The Public Works & Facilities Commission reviewed their monthly reports for the Parks Division. There were no questions. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS: As there was no further discussion, a motion was made to end the meeting by Councilman Pessina. The motion was seconded by Councilman McKeon and approved unanimously. The Public Works & Facilities Commission meeting adjourned.