Stamford Planning Board Capital Budget Meeting - November 15, 2023

Note: The agenda listed the meeting date as November 14, 2023, but provided materials and instructions indicate November 15, 2023. This summary uses the latter date as directed.

The Stamford Planning Board held a regular meeting on November 15, 2023, to review capital budget requests from multiple city departments and the Board of Education. Presentations covered housing, fire, solid waste, traffic engineering, water pollution control, and school projects. Chair Teresa Dell outlined budget constraints: a safe debt limit of $70–75 million, with $35 million annually dedicated to new school construction, leaving approximately $27 million for all other capital requests. Total requests presented were $88.8 million, necessitating significant prioritization.

Consent Calendar

• October 24, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes: Approved unanimously. (Motion: Stephen Perry; Second: Michael Totilo)
• November 8, 2023 Special Meeting Minutes: Approved unanimously by the three members present (Dell, Tepper, Gozzino).

Discussion Items

• Office of the Mayor – Housing Development Fund & Charter of Communities:

  • Housing Development Fund (HDF): Kylie Goselin, CEO, presented a 40–45 for-sale condo project for households at or below 80% of Area Median Income (AMI). Requested $2 million to close a gap between construction costs (estimated at $500,000+ per unit) and affordable sale prices ($250,000–$400,000). The project will target families and include one to three-bedroom units.
  • Charter of Communities (Stanford Manor): Jonathan Gottlieb requested $1 million for capital repairs at the 215-unit public housing high-rise for elderly and disabled residents. Repairs include replacing two deteriorated exterior stairways and concrete walkways. The property currently operates at a deficit; conversion to Section 8 in two years is expected to improve finances.
  • Discussion: Jay Tepper asked about a $750,000 increase from last year’s $1.25 million. Emily Gordon explained that the $1.25 million was a placeholder and the mayor’s office seeks to increase ongoing funding to at least $2 million.

• Stamford Fire Department (Assistant Chief Miguel Robles):

  • Priority 1 – Fire Apparatus Replacement ($2.3M): Replace two engines (2005, 2006) and refurbish a command vehicle. Per NFPA standards, engines should be replaced every 10 years.
  • Priority 2 – Personal Protective Equipment ($225,000): Replace 50 sets of coats/pants annually (CBA requirement).
  • Priority 3 – Main Firehouse Bathroom Renovation (priority not specified, likely included): Repairs due to leaks and mold.
  • Priority 4 – Glenbrook Boiler Replacement ($100,000): 40-year-old leaking boiler.
  • Priority 5 – Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) Bottles (ongoing): 50 bottles per year.
  • Priority 6 – Drill Field Storage Building (economical lean-to).
  • Priority 7 – Central Firehouse HVAC/Energy Management (originally facilities request).
  • Priority 8 – South End Fire Station Improvements (water in basement).
  • Discussion: Stephen Perry suggested coordinating with other departments for shared covered equipment storage; past attempts faced neighborhood pushback.

• Solid Waste (Supervisor Dan Colleluori):

  • Priority 1 (reordered) – Transfer Station Upgrades ($150,000): Replace exhaust fans (8 out of service), improve lighting, install misting system to reduce dust. Health/safety for staff processing 75,000 tons of garbage annually.
  • Priority 2 – Downtown “Big Belly” Solar Compactors (10 units): Aesthetic improvement and reduced collection time; developed with DSSD.
  • Priority 3 – Canal Wall Stabilization ($800,000 for design; total project ~$11.5M): Retaining walls at transfer station are failing. The board noted this may need separate tier consideration.
  • Discussion: Tony Romano confirmed the grants department will review all requests for federal/state funding opportunities.

• Traffic Engineering (Bureau Chief Frank Petise):

  • Roadway Design & Reconstruction ($1.1M): Matches $10M+ in grants for Third Street corridor, traffic monitoring cameras phase 2 (30 more intersections), and Newfield/Vine signal improvements.
  • Vision Zero Action Plan ($500,000): Implement quick-build safety projects (medians, bump-outs, protected bike lanes, raised crosswalks).
  • Safe Routes to School ($1.65M): City match for two grants totaling ~$6.4M (20% match plus design). Funds contingent on grant receipt.
  • Strawberry Hill/Newfield Avenue Corridor ($5M): Match for $20M Safe Streets for All grant (pending) and a state grant for phase two. The board agreed to place contingent grant projects in a separate tier.
  • Parking Division Vehicles ($100,000/year): Replace aging vehicles using parking fund surplus.

• Water Pollution Control (Supervising Engineer Ann Brown):

  • CMOM Sewer Capacity Management ($600,000): Assessment of infiltration/inflow; $275,000 offset by Clean Water Fund grant.
  • Sanitary Pump Station Improvements: Saddle Rock design ($120,000) and construction ($1.28M); Albert Lane and Commerce Road design ($530,000); ongoing repairs for 23 stations.
  • Vehicle Replacement ($650,000): Replace two aging trucks with a combo jet/vac truck; $50,000 for routine maintenance. All from WPCA reserve fund.
  • Discussion: Jay Tepper requested the current balance of the WPCA reserve fund; Ann Brown agreed to provide it.

• Board of Education – Capital (Director of School Construction Katherine LoBalbo):

  • Stark School Bathroom Renovations ($500,000): Accessibility compliance.
  • Safety and Security (district-wide): Compliance with state mandates.
  • Northeast School Abatement/Wall Repairs ($1.2M): 60% state reimbursement expected.
  • Stamford High Roof Replacement & Fire Alarm (continuing): Grant award received for prior roofs; 60% reimbursement anticipated.
  • Solar Panels at Four Schools (using NRES grant): Energy generation revenue will be paid to the city.
  • Other Schools: AITE fire alarm; Rogers solar; Newfield MEP/fire alarm; Rippowam HVAC; Hart roofing/waterproofing/accessible bathrooms; Toquam switchgear (essential for occupancy; will be reused if school closes); Turn of River roof; district-wide asbestos abatement; Davenport drainage.
  • Discussion: Successful grant track record noted for roofing (60% reimbursement). Solar panels are net-metered; revenue expected in the millions.

• Board of Education – Short Term Financing (Kevin McCarthy, Joe Kennedy, Mike Pensiero, Alec Iagman):

  • Security Upgrades ($600,000): Cameras, walkie-talkies, environmental sensors (for bathroom safety), visitor management.
  • Facility Equipment: Ride-on leaf blowers, custodial/landscape equipment, truck attachments, plow/sander setups for new site (Turn of River).
  • Technology Equipment (transition to maintenance phase): After a catch-up year ($2.5M in 2023), moving to ~$1.5M annually to maintain 5-year lifecycle for Chromebooks, staff computers, smart boards. Alec Iagman emphasized cybersecurity compliance.

Key Outcomes

• The board will begin deliberations on November 21, 2023, establishing priority tiers: Tier 1 (top priorities), Tier 2 (mayor’s discretion), Tier 3 (grant-contingent), Tier 4 (deferred).
• Outstanding questions: Engineering (Lou Castle) to answer prior requests; Ann Brown to provide WPCA reserve fund balance.
• Public Hearing on the capital budget is scheduled for January 9, 2024.
• Final budget approval targeted by February 13, 2024, for submission to the mayor by March 1.
• The Board of Education capital request for short-term projects was $24.4 million (part of the $88.8 million total). New school construction funding ($35 million annually) is separate.
• The meeting adjourned at 8:13 PM.