Community Development Advisory Committee

MINUTES OF THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE December 8, 2008 3:30 P.M. Members Present: Chairperson Annette D’Antuono, John Mathieu, Red McKeon, and Lynn Norris Others Present: Jennifer Gottlieb, Susan Goldman, Linda Lee Smith Call to Order Chairperson Annette D’Antuono called the CDAC meeting to order at 3:36 p.m. Motion was made by Lynn Norris to accept the minutes of the October 7, 2008 and November 5, 2008 meetings and seconded by Red McKeon. Motion carried unanimously. Old Business New Business A. Security Fence For 26 Shipping Street The original agenda stated a request for $12,000 to put a security fence around 26 Shipping Street. A follow-up memo was distributed at the meeting that they were only requesting $5,500 to rent a security fence which would be for 1 year only and not 2 years which would have cost the original estimate of $12,000. Public Works monitors all City owned property and after recent entry into the building had revealed extensive trespassing activity. The City Manager’s Office has been responsible for the funding of the rehab and cleanup activities. The fence needed would be an estimate of 700 linear ft – 6 ft high. There were no objections to funding it. The fence is something that needs to be done whether to build or rent one. There are concerns about any damage  that could be done to the fence. The CDAC committee recently gave funding for the roof at 26 Shipping Street. There are matching funds for the EPA Grant with Jennifer Gottlieb’s ‘s salary. A few things the City is paying for is the fee to sign up for the CT Remediation Program which is $3,000 and advertising for the LEP. It’s supposed to be a share to equal $40,000, 20% to match the money given by the Federal government. There was some discussion about the future plans for use of the 26 Shipping Street building whether it would be used for housing, community use in part of it and the other part private, a co-op, or the boating program may want the ground floor for storage of boats. Everyone agreed that the building should be secured and it is necessary to take care of City owned property. The committee wanted to wait until the new allocation/applications are available for PY 35 and to apply at that time. They would like a complete plan submitted with a timetable, amount of money that has been expended thus far, as well as what the plans are for next year, how much it will cost to do the entire project including the fence, remediation, boarding of the building etc. An estimate of the total amount would probably be around $400,000 to complete this building after the roof shell for windows and masonry. The roof thus far has been secured with a tarp. Questions came up if the building was insured and also if all the services had been disconnected. Jennifer Gottlieb thought they had been but she would report back at the next meeting. Annette D’Antuono asked the members to take a vote on allocating $5,500 for 1 year only for a security fence rental at 26 Shipping Street. John Mathieu voted yes. The rest of the committee members were opposed. The motion was defeated. B. Request from Human Resources for Handicapped Accessibility Upgrade at Police Dept. A memo from Brigid Marks, Assistant Human Resources Director/ADA Coordinator had been distributed requesting a door swing modification to be able to get a wheelchair into the Police Dept. This would have to go to Council as a new activity and they did not submit the application required for all CDBG applicants. The committee members were very concerned about being ADA compliant as well as following the correct CDBG procedural protocol. The committee didn’t have problems with the merit of the modified door swing but with the actual process. A member noted that this building would be used for only a short time since a new police building is being built. This  request should go through the regular process with formal application John Mathieu made a motion to table this request from Human Resources for Handicapped Accessibility Upgrade (door swing) at the Police Dept to have them come back to the committee with the proper application at the time of the regular RFP and they will take a vote on it then. Red McKeon seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. C. Michelle Dunlap’s Resignation Annette D’Antuono had spoken with Michelle Dunlap in reference to her resigning from the committee. She is so very sorry that with her new job she is too busy and just could not be able to continue. She will give Annette a couple of recommendations for her replacement. The Committee met in executive session on personnel matters. Adjournment John Mathieu made a motion to adjourn. Red McKeon seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. The CDAC meeting ended at 4:30 p.m.