Public Works & Facilities Commission

PUBLIC WORKS & FACILITIES COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY JULY 12, 2023 TIME: 6:30 P.M. Via WebEX.com MIDDLETOWN CONNECTICUT Members Present: Councilman Gene Nocera Councilman Ed McKeon Councilman Mike Marino Councilman Darnell Ford Councilman Phil Pessina Staff Present: Christopher M. Holden, P.E., Director of Public Works Howard Weissberg, P.E., Deputy Director of Public Works Cathy Lechowicz, Director of Recreation Services Kimberly O’Rourke- Recycling Coordinator Public: Kate TenEyck, Sam, Tim Hollister, Noah Baerman, Joe DeNicola, Kristen Brown The meeting was called to order by Councilman Nocera at 6:34 p.m. Councilman Pessina moved to approve the Meeting Minutes dated June 7, 2023. Councilman McKeon seconded the motion. The motion passed. PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS: Tim Hollister of 1000 Chamberlain Hill Rd is checking in on the status of Chamberlain Hill Rd. He would like to also thank Public Works for starting patch work on Chamberlain Hill Rd. Joe DeNicola from DEEP is in attendance. He is attending to help Kristen Brown with any questions that may arise from her presentation. CORRESPONDENCE: The letter of correspondence in regards to the dog park was added into the packet. NEW BUSINESS: a. Mosaics on Main St- Director Holden has met with Kate TenEyck, who works at Wesleyan and is a local artist. She was able to secure a grant through the downtown business district and will be doing mosaic artwork on Main Street and to the tunnel going to Harbor Park. Kate TenEyck introduced herself and went over the project proposal that was included in the packet. There are several items that would require Public Works to be involved in the project including additional lighting in and  around the tunnel, as well as water prevention so that water is not able to get behind the exhibit. Director Holden said the cost for this would be relatively low. Councilman McKeon made a motion to approve using the tunnel for the artwork installation. Councilman Pessina seconded the motion. Councilman Ford recommended this go to the Common Council for review. b. Monarca Drive- Director Holden gave an update about the status of this agenda item as it was being discussed on social media. He stated that it was removed from the agenda as the Committee did not take action nor recommend it be brought to the Common Council. All minutes of meetings where Monarca Drive were discussed were included in the packet. c. Fishing Tournament- This is the carp tournament that is held at Harbor Park. This approval allows them to spend the night for the tournament. Councilman Pessina moved to approve. Councilman Marino seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. d. CTPA Summer Meeting- This is a workshop and summer meeting. It provides CEU’s for the Tree Warden and Deputy Tree Warden. Councilman Ford made a motion to approve. Councilman Pessina seconded the motion. The motion passed. e. Food Waste Co-Collection Pilot Program Update- This is the grant that was received by DEEP. Kristen Brown presented information on the Co-Collection Pilot Program. Fee structures will be evaluated over the next six weeks. Joe DeNicola from DEEP spoke to the planning process with the City and how the partnership with Kristen and DEEP will be critical to the buy in of the program. f. Fiscal Year 2023/2024 Bulky Waste Budget- A resolution was presented to the committee for the bulky waste budget. Rates are not being raised for the disposal. Councilman Pessina made a motion to approve the resolution. Councilman McKeon seconded the motion. The motion passed. OLD BUSINESS: a. Dog Park Update – Deputy Director Weissberg shared that there were five recommended locations that have been narrowed down. There was a lot of feedback regarding the locations. It has now been narrowed down to three locations that will be presented at the next commission meeting more formally and in detail. b. Veterans Park, Pool & Splash Pad Update- Director Holden said there are still a few final items as far as water chemistry and operation of the splash pad that are being worked on. c. Old Road Drive Update- Director Holden said that in May the legal opinion was shared with the committee. d. Public to Private Road Acceptance- Nothing additional to above. e. Proposed Paving Program Update- Director Holden said that he and Deputy Director Weissberg were going to get back out on Chamberlain Hill. Atkins St is very close to being complete. Deputy Director Weissberg shared that hot in place recycling has been done on Smith St, Miner St and Industrial Park Road. Top coursing will be going down. A copy of the paving schedule was provided to the committee previously for review. Councilman McKeon suggested having the City arborist in attendance at the next meeting to discuss her concerns with the hot in place recycling processes effect on trees. OTHER: Reported on by Christopher Holden a. June Department Updates- Nothing additional to below. b. June 2023 Monthly Report – Nothing additional to below. c. June 2023 Monthly Report - Parks Division – In full swing for special events, Nutmeg games and playoff games. d. June 2023 Public Works Overtime Report- OT for Highway and Sanitation related to Main st events. e. June 2023 Building Permits – Building Department permit numbers are well over the estimated fees received. Permit fees are over $2,000,000. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS: None Adjourn – As there were no further questions the meeting adjourned at 8:06 p.m.