Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Economic Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Norwalk confirms JP Hrabinsky as chief of economic and community development
Summary
The Norwalk Common Council unanimously confirmed JP Hrabinsky as the city—s chief of economic and community development on March 11 and authorized the mayor to negotiate an employment contract. Council and community speakers highlighted expectations for affordable-housing strategy, online permitting and small-business support.
The Norwalk Common Council on March 11 confirmed JP Hrabinsky as Norwalk—s chief of economic and community development and authorized Mayor Harry W. Rilling to enter an employment contract with him; the motion passed unanimously.
Council members who interviewed Hrabinsky described him as experienced in planning and zoning, transit-oriented development and digitizing permitting systems. Councilmember Cressida (transcript reference) said Hrabinsky—s experience with online permitting and complete-streets work will help Norwalk—s priorities, and Councilmember Goldstein, chair of the Economic and Community Development Committee, said he looked forward to working with Hrabinsky on a multimillion-dollar online-permitting project.
Hrabinsky told the council he is motivated by public service and community outreach. “I like helping people,” he said at the meeting, and described his first priorities as meeting staff, learning current projects and pursuing improvements to permitting and business-support systems. He added he—s comfortable having “tough conversations” about equity and data transparency.
Public commenters who addressed the council earlier in the meeting tied the appointment to broader equity questions in Norwalk. Romany Donald, speaking during the public-comment period, urged the city to release data showing who benefits from workforce- and affordable-housing programs and asked how the city will ensure Black residents are not displaced. Wilner Joseph, a nonprofit founder, asked that programming and fee structures for the new Norwalk Community Recreation Center support affordability and community access.
Council members noted those concerns in the appointment discussion. Several members said they expect the new chief to work with community leaders and staff on strategies to keep long-term residents in the city, support small businesses and advance affordable-housing goals. The council president reminded residents that the Economic and Community Development Committee will discuss the city—s affordable-housing plan at an upcoming meeting.
The appointment vote was unanimous; compensation and start date were discussed as part of an authorization to negotiate the employment contract but were not specified in the meeting record.
