Residents raise questions about consultant contract and minutes at Norwalk Harbor Commission meeting

Jeff Stedman told the Norwalk Harbor Commission that he had declined to sign a proposed consultant contract after reviewing emails obtained through freedom-of‑information requests that he says show the procurement process began in March 2024 and appeared intended to remove him as the commission’s paid consultant. "I did not intend to sign the contract because I had learned certain things that were relevant to my decision," Stedman said, including what he described as statements calling the Harbor Management Association "a sham organization."

Lynell Jones, a resident, said the commission’s written minutes from the Jan. 28 meeting fail to record a motion and vote about the consultant contract. Jones said video shows a motion passed with the chair abstaining and other commissioners voting in favor, and she urged the commission to correct the public record. "It is indefensible to not properly correct your January minutes," Jones said.

Commissioners acknowledged questions about the record and the procurement steps taken earlier this year. In discussion they said the purchasing office had been involved, that different procurement approaches were considered (including an RFP and a sole‑source agreement), and that the commission needs to define the scope of consulting services before seeking a new contract. One commissioner summarized the practical path forward: to determine what specific consultant skills the commission requires and whether on‑call or project‑specific contracting would be sufficient.

The chair said city staff will assist with FOIA production of emails and documents and that the comments are on the record; commissioners discussed placing the matter on a future agenda to review the relevant documents and the prior meeting’s minutes. No formal policy or contract was approved at this meeting.