The City Council has several relevant topics on its Monday night agenda including “Council Discussion with Administration on Sikorsky Airport Safety Zone Installation and Easement Issue” as well as a “Resolution presented by Council President McCarthy re: Council Review and Possible Revisions to the City’s Purchasing and Procurement Ordinance, Chapter 3.08 City Contract and Purchasing Procedures, referred to Ordinance Committee.”
The council is expected to be briefed by city officials on the status of the city’s internal review of the events that led to approval of a $400,000 taxpayer-paid driveway for radioactive developer Manny Moutinho’s Lordship mansion and subsequent paid suspension of Airport Manager John Ricci. In addition the City Council will discuss a comprehensive review of the purchasing and procurement ordinance based on the airport easement issue.
Council agenda:
96-12 Public Hearing re: Approval of Revenue Bonds concerning the Jewish Home Project, Series 2013.
Council Discussion with Administration on Sikorsky Airport Safety Zone Installation and Easement Issue.
MINUTES FOR APPROVAL:
Approval of City Council Minutes: June 3, 2013
COMMUNICATIONS TO BE REFERRED TO COMMITTEES:
111-12 Communication from OPED re: Proposed Resolution requesting the Adoption and Authorization to Implement the Black Rock School Municipal Development Plan (“BRSMDP”) also Ordering a Public Hearing Relative to the same, referred to Economic and Community Development and Environment Committee.
112-12 Communication from Mayor re: Dennis A. Bradley II, Esq. (D) to the Fire Commission, referred to Public Safety and Transportation Committee.
113-12 Communication from Mayor re: Appointment of James C. Carl (D) to the Ethics Commission, referred to Miscellaneous Matters Committee.
114-12 Communication from City Attorney re: Proposed Resolution regarding Acquisition of the New Senior Center in 2013 and the Temporary Relocation of the Downtown Cabaret Theatre in 2014, referred to Economic and Community Development and Environment Committee.
RESOLUTIONS TO BE REFERRED TO BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, ETC.:
115-12 Resolution presented by Council Member Lyons re: (Ref. #29-09) Request that Resolution 29-09 be amended to remove the language “in and about the Island of Hispaniola” and the words “in Haiti” be placed in designated area of Resolution, referred to Public Safety and Transportation Committee.
116-12 Resolution presented by Council President McCarthy re: Council Review and Possible Revisions to the City’s Purchasing and Procurement Ordinance, Chapter 3.08 City Contract and Purchasing Procedures, referred to Ordinance Committee.
*69-12 Public Safety and Transportation Committee Report re: Request for the Discontinuance of a Portion of School Street as a part of the Black Rock Elementary School Expansion Project.
*77-12 Economic and Community Development and Environment Committee Report re: Rescinding Resolution #26-05 Authorizing to Sell Five (5) City-Owned Parcels to the Junior League of Eastern Fairfield County.
*83-12 Economic and Community Development and Environment Committee Report re: Resolution Authorizing the Acquisition of 1216 Stratford Avenue.
*84-12 Economic and Community Development and Environment Committee Report re: Resolution Accepting the Donation of Property Known as 1196 Stratford Avenue.
*85-12(PHO) Economic and Community Development and Environment Committee Report re: Public Hearing Ordered for August 5, 2013: re: Disposition of City-Owned Properties to the Housing Authority.
*92-12 Economic and Community Development and Environment Committee Report re: Grant Submission: State Department of Education for a 2013-2014 YSB Enhancement Grant.
*93-12 Economic and Community Development and Environment Committee Report re: Grant Submission: State Department of Education for a 2013-2015 Youth Service Bureau Grant.
*94-12 Economic and Community Development and Environment Committee Report re: Grant Submission: FY 2012-2013 Medical Reserve Corps Capacity Building Award (CBA) Competitive Award.
*65-12 Miscellaneous Matters Committee Report re: Settlement of Pending Litigation with Wilmer Carde.
*87-12 Miscellaneous Matters Committee Report re: Appointment of Carrie Picardi (D) to the Harbor Commission.
*88-12 Miscellaneous Matters Committee Report re: Appointment of Bruce Williams (D) to the Energy Improvement District.
*96-12 Budget and Appropriations Committee Report re: Approval of Revenue Bonds concerning the Jewish Home Project, Series 2013.
MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON:
45-12 Economic and Community Development and Environment Committee Report re: Disposition of Property Located at 1136, 1144, 1148-50, 1154-56 and 1160-62 Main Street (“The Preservation Block”) and Authorizing a Partial Tax Abatement in Support of the Preservation Block’s Historic Renovation and Redevelopment as a Mixed-Use Residential, Retail and Commercial Complex.
71-12 Economic and Community Development and Environment Committee Report re: (Ref. #151-11) Disposition of Property Located at 1163 and 1149 Main Street in the Downtown North Redevelopment Area.
72-12 Economic and Community Development and Environment Committee Report re: Disposition of Properties in the Jayson-Newfield Block in the Downtown North Redevelopment Area and Authorizing a Tax Incentive Agreement in Support of the Jayson-Newfield Block’s Historic Renovation and Redevelopment as a Mixed-Use Residential, Retail and Commercial Complex.
97-12 Economic and Community Development and Environment Committee Report re: Resolution Authorizing a Tax payment Agreement for the Development of a Skilled Nursing and Assisted Living Facility at 4200 Park Avenue (The Jewish Home Project).
*** CITY COUNCIL SHOULD BE CALLING FOR AN “INVESTIGATION” DONE BY THE STATE OR FEDS; HOWEVER OIB READERS KNOW IT’S GOING TO TAKE SOME GUTS TO WANT THE TRUTH, NO? *** WAITING AND WATCHING ***
Mojo, missed you at the OIB party, but I also sometimes miss your right-on observations. Run for office, for us. We need you. Good man you are.
i wonder if the briefing will be in the Democratic caucus room or will the TV tape it in the main chambers … along with questions from the council. Hmmm. Open, accountable, transparent? The Council persons better have questions, lots of questions.
Very important comment by ‘countdown.’ The ‘briefing’ is on the agenda so it must be dealt with as a city council action. A caucus is a meeting of members of the same party. What is often labeled as a caucus is actually an illegal executive session. An executive session can be used if the matter involves pending litigation or is a personnel matter. Given that labor relations is conducting the ‘investigation,’ perhaps it will be presented as a personnel matter regarding John Ricci and how they will make him the ‘fall guy.’
If it is held in public, let’s see if the council members ask the questions they should have asked when they voted to approve it. Perhaps McCarthy has permission to ask questions the administration feels will make their case.
Wait, McCarthy is part of the administration. Has he recused himself?
Tom White, I agree with your point but there is no one on that council who knows how to question and get the answers that are needed to move forward. Instead, when Mark Anastasi gets finished talking the council won’t know their asses from their elbows.
McCarthy is a potential witness to these matters as he is on the airport commission.
His department is also leading the investigation.
I have read the pertinent parts of the Code of Ordinances. By city law only two people can issue bid waivers. Based on the circumstances it could be either the Purchasing Agent or the Mayor. The ordinance is very clear on this point.
Furthermore, the ordinance requires the person who approves the waiver must notify the City Council in writing within a specified period of time.
So either the mayor or the purchasing agent failed to adhere to city ordinances or the Council President is lying. Let’s get to the truth as to what occurred before we even consider changing the ordinance.
Because if Mr. McCarthy is not lying then the two most important positions in the city when it comes to follow the procurement ordinance are incompetent or corrupt.
Bob Walsh,
What about the Purchasing Board? Shouldn’t they have had a role before the contract was signed to do the driveway?
It was clear from the commentary piece Mike Daly wrote a few days ago the City’s Purchasing Agent wasn’t involved in the informal bidding. He got a copy of the paperwork the morning Mike paid a visit to his office. How do three bids come in on separate days when the last one, the lowest bid, arrives last from the guy who owns the driveway? And, the bids are received by a city official who has a business relationship with the bidder. Arm’s-length transaction? Nada. It doesn’t pass the smell test. I thought there was a Purchasing Board that reviewed things like this.
Would anyone be surprised if Manny returns $300,000 and the mayor claims credit?
Joel, I’d be surprised if he gave back 10 cents. Manny as far as Manny’s concerned received a good … no, a great deal.
WARNING:
Not included on the agenda is the Julians’ land deal (53 and 85 Seaview Avenue). Will it be entertained by suspending the rules and approved by immediate consideration?
Paging General Lee. I will not be able to attend the next council meeting. Can the general himself or anyone available to address the city council regarding: The contamination on the 2.6 acres of land at 53 and 85 Seaview Avenue. This is a $650,000 lease/buy deal with a potential environmental liability–for the city–in the millions.
Off topic, but we need your vote here as soon as possible.
nation.foxnews.com/poll/2013/06/27/do-agree-with-connecticut-law-that-states-bridgeport-resident-gustave-whitehead/
Hey Lennie, why don’t you post about this so-called Rev Moales. “More on financial problems facing Bridgeport Board of Ed. Chair Kenneth Moales, Jr. and his church.” Will be interesting to see if an investigation will be done to see how he got the loans. Sounds like another crooked pastor to me.
Did Manny send in a Change of Work Order for the extra?
I can’t be at the Council meeting tonight but here are a few questions I hope some people will ask. Why isn’t the City having an independent investigation conducted on this issue given the key players and clear conflicts involved (e.g., Mayor Finch, Council President McCarthy, City Attorney Mark Anastasi)? Have Mayor Finch, Council President McCarthy and City Attorney Anastasi recused themselves from the Ricci investigation given their clear conflicts? How could Mayor Finch and Tom McCarthy plead ignorance regarding this matter and John Ricci’s relationship with the contractor since they are on the Airport Commission? Why did the City even consider contracting for this work since the property is not in Bridgeport? Why did the City Council approve such a project in 2012? Why weren’t formal competitive bids obtained for the work? Was there a full and open competition? If not, why not? What was the so-called “emergency?” Were the required environmental approvals obtained for the related work? Were any federal funds involved? It’s time to turn the heat up another notch on the incompetence and clear conflicts in Bridgeport City government.
In this setting you need to know the answer to the questions before asking, then you must have the followup questions to the answer of the first question.