Charter Revision Commission

CITY OF NORWALK CHARTER REVISION COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING JULY 30, 2025 ZOOM AND COMMON COUNCIL CHAMBERS To allow public access, anyone may access a meeting by telephone and/or Zoom, or a recording in the City of Norwalk YouTube channel. Specific instructions and links can be found at norwalkct.gov/meetings. Members of the public may call in to participate. Callers will not be able to see the meeting participants. All participants will be muted upon entering the meeting. To speak, dial *9 on the phone and you will be called on by the host of the meeting during the public comment section. All speakers must state their name and address. Comments must be on a topic on the agenda, and are limited to three minutes. Anyone disrupting the orderly conduct of the meeting, including by using threatening, hateful, or sexually-explicit language, will be removed. Please find the information using the link above. Members of the public who wish to provide "live comments" may also use the Zoom meeting platform. All participants will be muted upon entering the meeting. To speak, click the “raise your hand indicator” and you will be called by the host of the meeting during the public comment section. All speakers must state their name and address. Comments must be on a topic on the agenda, and are limited to three minutes. Anyone disrupting the orderly conduct of the meeting, including by using threatening, hateful, or sexually-explicit language, will be removed. Please find the information using the link above. Members of the public who wish to provide public comment are encouraged to submit those via email in advance of the meeting. For these comments to be included into the record, they must be submitted by 12:00 p.m. the day of the meeting. Please email the City Clerk's office at cityclerk@norwalkct.gov with the subject line “Public Comment” to provide written public comment prior to the meeting. I. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Fairbairn called the meeting to order at 6:08p.m. ATTENDANCE: Tyler Fairbairn, Chairman; Carl Dickens; Jim Clark(6:38pm); John Levin; Doug Hempstead, Co-Chairman; Tanya Rhodes-Small; Ed Camacho; Jo Bennett(7:00pm) STAFF: Steve Mednick; Commission Council OTHERS: Barbara Smyth; Nora Niedzielski-Eichner; Jalin Sead; Josh Goldstein; Nicole Eady; Dr. Alexandra Estrella; Damon Lewis; Carla Montero; Sheri McCready-Pritchett; Lunda Asmani; Jared Schmidt City of Norwalk Charter Revision Commission Regular Meeting July 30, 2025 Zoom and Common Council Chambers Page 1  II. ROLL CALL Chairman Fairbairn called the Roll: Tyler Fairbairn, Chairman; Carl Dickens; John Levin; Doug Hempstead, Co-Chairman; Tanya Rhodes-Small; Ed Camacho At Roll Call there were six (6) Committee members present constituting a quorum. James Clark arrived at 6:38pm. Jo Bennett arrived at 7:00pm. III. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION There was no public participation. Chairman Fairbairn closed public participation at 6:09p.m IV. DISCUSSION Chairman Fairbairn stated the purpose of this meeting is to initiate the final round of discussions about the charter revisions. The Charter Commission made their recommendations earlier in the summer to the Common Council. Last week, the commission was provided with an additional 21 points to consider. Chairman Fairbairn stated the commission will go through each item and have the guests chime in when necessary instead of having them speak for 3 minutes. A. DELIBERATIONS WITH COUNSEL, MEMBERS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL AND OTHER MUNICIPAL OFFICIALS • Item 1 • Article II, §2-2B(10) “Common Council or Council” • Item 2 • Article II, §2-2.C(3) “Use of Terms” **MR. LEVIN MOVED ITEM 1 & ITEM 2 **MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY • Item 3 • Article III, §3-3.C(2): Council Districts • Item 5 • Article III, §3-4.A(1): Council Districts City of Norwalk Charter Revision Commission Regular Meeting July 30, 2025 Zoom and Common Council Chambers Page 2 It was stated that if the vote for Item 3 and Item 5 is yes then the yes vote is to retain the status quo. **MR. DICKENS MOVED ITEM 3 & ITEM 5 **MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY • Item 4 • Article III, §3-3.D(1) and (2): Term of Office for Mayor, Town Clerk and Common Council Councilmember Goldstein stated the council is in support of a four-year term for Mayor, Town Clerk, and Common Council. They do not have a consensus on how that would work. A discussion ensued about elections, dates and cycles. The commission decided on the original motion to have a four-year term commence for the Mayor and Town Clerk in 2029, and a four-year term commence for Common Council in 2031. **MR. DICKENS MOVED THE ITEM **MR. HEMPSTEAD OPPOSSED **MOTION PASSED 5 TO 1 WITH ONE (1) OPPOSITION • Item 6 • Article III, 3-4-A(2): At-Large Councilmembers Attorney Mednick read the language for item 6. A discussion ensued about this subject and how this would work if approved. **MR. HEMPSTEAD MOVED TO SPLIT THE QUESTION INTO TWO (2) PARTS **MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY **MR. LEVIN MOVED TO ADD TWO (2) COUNCIL MEMBERS TO THE AT LARGE SEATS FOR A TOTAL OF SEVEN (7) AT LARGE SEATS **MR. CAMACHO OPPOSSED **MOTION PASSED 7 TO 1 WITH ONE (1) OPPOSITION **MR. CAMACHO MOVED TO AMEND PART TWO TO INCLUDE ALL SEVEN (7) AT-LARGE CANDIDATES CAN BE VOTED FOR BY THE PUBLIC BUT NO PARTY CAN NOMINATE MORE THAN FIVE (5) **MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY • Item 7 • Article IV §4-7.C “Compensation Fixed By Council” The commission discussed the two (2) options. It was decided to add the baseline City of Norwalk Charter Revision Commission Regular Meeting July 30, 2025 Zoom and Common Council Chambers Page 3 rather than the expense report which may become cumbersome. Council Member Goldstein stated a majority of the council voted to add a baseline salary. **MR. LEVIN MOVED TO ADD A BASELINE SALARY OF 3% OF THE MAYOR’S SALARY **MR. DICKENS ABSTAINED **MR. HEMPSTEAD AND MR. CLARK OPPOSED **MOTION PASSED 5 TO 3 WITH ONE (1) ABSTENTION AND TWO (2) OPPOSITIONS • Item 8 • Article IV §4-7.D Appointment of Common Council Employees There was a discussion about hiring employees in city government. Mr. Schmidt gave an overview of what hiring looks like for the City of Norwalk. The council can hire an assistant city clerk as stated in the charter. There were concerns with the council hiring and not following city protocols and concerns with the Board of Estimate and Taxation appropriating funding for such staff. Guardrails were also a concern. **MR. LEVIN MOVED THE ITEM **MR. CAMACHO, MR. FAIRBAIRN, MR. DICKENS, MS. RHODES-SMALL, MS. BENNETT AND MR. HEMPSTEAD OPPOSED **MOTION FAILED TO PASS 7 TO 1 Item 8 has two (2) parts. Attorney Mednick stated that the second part of the item is to move §5-5.D to §4-7.D which states moving the assistant city clerk from the mayor’s office to the council. **MR. DICKENS MOVED THE ITEM **MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY • Item 14 • Chapter X, §10-5 • Item 15 • Chapter VII, §10-6.A - B A discussion ensued about the items and how it may impact the budget cap process. The commission decided to vote on Item 14 and Item 15 together. Mr. Schmidt gave an overview of the city’s process/position. Mr. Asmundi gave an overview on the BOE’s process/position. Dr. Estrella commented on their process as well. Council Members Goldstein and Niedzielski-Eichner gave an overview of the Council’s process/position. Chairman Fairbairn read items 14 and 15 to be voted on. Mr. Hempstead stated that they must be sure that the items are integrated to where they need to be. City of Norwalk Charter Revision Commission Regular Meeting July 30, 2025 Zoom and Common Council Chambers Page 4 **CHAIRMAN FAIRBAIRN MOVED ITEM 14 & ITEM 15 **MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY Chairman Fairbairn moved to take a five (5) minute recess at 9:28p.m. Motion passed unanimously. The meeting resumed at 9:33p.m. • Item 9 • Article VII, §7-1.H (NEW) This item was on consent. Attorney Mednick said it would establish a public applicant pool for boards and commission. The Mayor’s Office will submit a quarterly disclosure list of applicants and what they applied for to the council. He explained the process. Council member Goldstein stated they would like more time to review the applicants prior to voting on them. 14 days were suggested. They discussed how that process would work. **MR. CLARK MOVED TO APPROVE THE CONCEPT SUBJECT TO LANGUAGE **MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY • Item 11 • Article VIII, §8-4.C(2) Historical Provisions Pertaining to the Comptroller • Item 12 • Article VIII, §8-4.D(4) Historical Provisions Pertaining to the Purchasing Agent • Item 13 • Article VIII, §8-7.B(2) and (3). Functions of the Chief and Department Heads of the Division of Operations and Public Works **CHAIRMAN FAIRBAIRN MOVED ITEM 11, ITEM 12 & ITEM 13 SUBJECT TO LANGUAGE **MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY ITEM 10 & ITEMS 16-21 WERE TABLED TO THE NEXT MEETING. • Item 10 • Article VII, §7-2.A(2) and (3). Appointment, term of Office, Qualification and Political Balance of the Board of Estimate • Item 16 • Chapter VII, §10-6.C • Item 17 • Chapter VII, §10-6.D • Item 18 City of Norwalk Charter Revision Commission Regular Meeting July 30, 2025 Zoom and Common Council Chambers Page 5  • Chapter VII, §10-7.A • Item 19 • Chapter VII, §10-7.B • Item 20 • Chapter VII, §10-8 • Item 21 • Chapter VII, §10-8.C V. VOTES • Item 1 • Item 2 **MR. LEVIN MOVED ITEM 1 & ITEM 2 **MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY • Item 3 • Item 5 **MR. DICKENS MOVED ITEM 3 & ITEM 5 **MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY • Item 4 **MR. DICKENS MOVED THE ITEM **MR. HEMPSTEAD OPPOSSED **MOTION PASSED 5 TO 1 WITH ONE (1) OPPOSITION • Item 6 **MR. HEMPSTEAD MOVED TO SPLIT THE QUESTION INTO TWO (2) PARTS **MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY **MR. LEVIN MOVED TO ADD TWO (2) COUNCIL MEMBERS TO THE AT LARGE SEATS FOR A TOTAL OF SEVEN (7) AT LARGE SEATS **MR. CAMACHO OPPOSSED **MOTION PASSED 7 TO 1 WITH ONE (1) OPPOSITION **MR. CAMACHO MOVED TO AMEND PART TWO TO INCLUDE ALL SEVEN (7) AT-LARGE CANDIDATES CAN BE VOTED FOR BY THE PUBLIC BUT NO PARTY CAN NOMINATE MORE THAN FIVE (5) City of Norwalk Charter Revision Commission Regular Meeting July 30, 2025 Zoom and Common Council Chambers Page 6 **MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY • Item 7 **MR. LEVIN MOVED TO ADD A BASELINE SALARY OF 3% OF THE MAYOR’S SALARY **MR. DICKENS ABSTAINED **MR. HEMPSTEAD AND MR. CLARK OPPOSED **MOTION PASSED 5 TO 3 WITH ONE (1) ABSTENTION AND TWO (2) OPPOSITIONS • Item 8 **MR. LEVIN MOVED THE ITEM **MR. CAMACHO, MR. FAIRBAIRN, MR. DICKENS, MS. RHODES-SMALL, MS. BENNETT AND MR. HEMPSTEAD OPPOSED **MOTION FAILED TO PASS 7 TO 1 Item 8 has two (2) parts. Attorney Mednick stated that the second part of the item is to move §5-5.D to §4-7.D which states moving the assistant city clerk from the mayor’s office to the council. **MR. DICKENS MOVED THE ITEM **MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY • Item 14 • Item 15 **CHAIRMAN FAIRBAIRN MOVED ITEM 14 & ITEM 15 **MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY • Item 9 **MR. CLARK MOVED TO APPROVE THE CONCEPT SUBJECT TO LANGUAGE **MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY • Item 11 • Item 12 • Item 13 **CHAIRMAN FAIRBAIRN MOVED ITEM 11, ITEM 12 & ITEM 13 SUBJECT TO LANGUAGE **MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY City of Norwalk Charter Revision Commission Regular Meeting July 30, 2025 Zoom and Common Council Chambers Page 7 ITEM 10 & ITEMS 16-21 WERE TABLED TO THE NEXT MEETING. • Item 10 • Item 16 • Item 17 • Item 18 • Item 19 • Item 20 • Item 21 VI. ADJOURNMENT **Mr. Clark moved to adjourn **Motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 9:48p.m. Respectfully submitted, NAME TITLE City of Norwalk Charter Revision Commission Regular Meeting July 30, 2025 Zoom and Common Council Chambers Page 8

REGULAR MEETING – CHARTER REVISION COMMISSION AGENDA JULY 30, 2025, 6:00 PM ZOOM AND COMMON COUNCIL CHAMBERS To allow public access, anyone may access a meeting by telephone and/or Zoom, or a recording in the City of Norwalk YouTube channel. Specific instructions and links can be found at norwalkct.gov/meetings. Members of the public may call in to participate. Callers will not be able to see the meeting participants. All participants will be muted upon entering the meeting. To speak, dial *9 on the phone and you will be called on by the host of the meeting during the public comment section. All speakers must state their name and address. Comments must be on a topic on the agenda, and are limited to three minutes. Anyone disrupting the orderly conduct of the meeting, including by using threatening, hateful, or sexually-explicit language, will be removed. Please find the information using the link above. Members of the public who wish to provide "live comments" may also use the Zoom meeting platform. All participants will be muted upon entering the meeting. To speak, click the “raise your hand indicator” and you will be called by the host of the meeting during the public comment section. All speakers must state their name and address. Comments must be on a topic on the agenda, and are limited to three minutes. Anyone disrupting the orderly conduct of the meeting, including by using threatening, hateful, or sexually-explicit language, will be removed. Please find the information using the link above. Members of the public who wish to provide public comment are encouraged to submit those via email in advance of the meeting. For these comments to be included into the record, they must be submitted by 12:00 p.m. the day of the meeting. Please email the City Clerk's office at cityclerk@norwalkct.govwith the subject line “Public Comment” to provide written public comment prior to the meeting. I. CALL TO ORDER II. ROLL CALL III. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IV. DISCUSSION A. Deliberations with Counsel, Members of the Common Council and other Municipal Officials V. VOTES VI. ADJOURNMENT