Public Works & Capital Improvements (Subcommittee of City Council)

CITY OF NORWICH DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS March 7, 2011 TO: Distribution FROM: Barry Ellison, P.E., Director of Public Works FILE #: PWD 051-11 SUBJECT: MINUTES OF PUBLIC WORKS & CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS COMMITTEE MEETING The regular meeting of the Public Works and Capital Improvements Committee was held on Tuesday, February 8, 2011 in the Director’s Office at Public Works Headquarters. Attendance was as follows: Committee Members Administration Alderman Pete Desaulniers Barry Ellison, P.E., Director of Public Works Alderwoman Deb Hinchey Patrick McLaughlin, P.E., City Engineer The meeting was called to order at 5:01 p.m. The minutes of the November 9, 2010 meeting were approved as written. (Motion, Desaulniers: Second, Hinchey) OLD BUSINESS - None NEW BUSINESS Ellison formally introduced recently hired City Engineer, Pat McLaughlin, to Committee members. Project Updates McLaughlin briefed the Committee on the following current Public Works projects: Pleasant Street bridge scour mitigation, Sherman Street bridges rehabilitation, Sunnyside Bridge rehabilitation, City Hall step restoration, and federally funded Canterbury Turnpike rehabilitation. Ellison informed Committee that 2011 paving program was nearly developed and that Public Works is targeting resurfacing approximately 6 miles of City streets. Refuse/Recycling Ellison distributed two spreadsheets to the Committee regarding recycling and refuse collection trends for the last three years. The spreadsheets indicate that total refuse collection has decreased by nearly 1,400 tons since FY 08-09 while recycling collection has increased by over 400 tons. The refuse collection decrease translates into a cost avoidance of $84,000 while the additional revenue generated by the increased recycling is over $10,000.  Greeneville & Buckingham Schools Ellison updated the Committee on the maintenance challenges with the schools. Although the burglar and fire alarm call ins have decreased, they have not stopped altogether. The budget and production of Public Works is still negatively impacted by these facilities. Ellison suggested that, with no imminent adaptive re-use on the horizon and to garner reliable cost estimates, the City consider soliciting formal demolition bids for the two structures. It was noted that the price to demolish structures at the state hospital in Preston came in much lower than originally projected. Ellison to pursue further with Planning, Building and Purchasing departments. Sidewalk Ordinance Ellison proposed to the Committee that the City ordinance requiring citizens to shovel their sidewalks within three hours of the conclusion of a snow storm by revised. Ellison explained that Public Works crews rarely can finish their clean up work within three hours of a storm and therefore they often, unavoidably, push snow back onto cleared sidewalks. Ellison suggested revising the ordinance to 12 hours – the Committee supported the proposal. Ellison to draft an ordinance. Snow Budget Ellison presented the Committee with a spreadsheet summarizing the cost of this winter’s snow plowing and snow removal operations. The cost to date is $432,358.37. Both the Department overtime budget and materials and supplies budget are approximately 82% expended for the year. Vehicle fuel and vehicle parts budgets are at 65% expended, excluding January purchases. Ellison advised the Committee that the City is still waiting for a determination by FEMA regarding reimbursement for the January 11-13 storm event. Ellison further advised the Committee that if FEMA reimbursement occurs and the remainder of this winter is mild Public Works may not require additional snow operation funding. Under this scenario normal Spring lawn and curb repair projects will be reduced. ADOURJNMENT - There were no other agenda items. The meeting adjourned at 5:47 pm. (Motion, Desaulniers: Second, Hinchey) ______________________________ Barry Ellison, Jr., P.E. Director of Public Works BE/sc Distribution Committee Members: Alderman Pete Desaulniers Alderwoman Deb Hinchey Alderwoman Laurie Glenney-Popovich