City Council

TO: Mayor Gene F. Eriquez and Members of the Common Council Re: Minutes of the Common Council Meeting held February 1, 2000 Mayor Eriquez called the meeting to order at 7:35 P.M. The Pledge of Allegiance and Prayer were recited. The members were recorded as: PRESENT – Levy, Scalzo, McAllister, Smith, Saadi, Buzaid, Dean Esposito, Machado, Coco, Arconti, John Esposito, Abrantes, Pascuzzi, Basso, Furtado, Gallagher, Gogliettino, Michael Moore, Martin Moore, Saracino ABSENT – Shuler 20 Present 1 Absent PUBLIC SPEAKING 1 – Nancy Whitfield, Director of CityCenter Danbury – Spoke in favor of item 1 MINUTES – Minutes of the Common Council Meeting held January 4, 2000. Mr. Arconti made a motion to accept the minutes as presented and waive the reading as all members have copies which are on file in the Office of the City Clerk for public inspection. Seconded by Dean Esposito. Motion carried unanimously. CONSENT CALENDAR – John Esposito submitted the following items for the Consent Calendar: 2 - Adopt the Resolution to apply for and accept a State grant in the amount of $36,000 for the Food Stamp Workfare Program 3 - Adopt the revised Resolution to apply for and accept a State grant in the amount of $24,000 for the Still River Project 4 - Adopt the revised Resolution to apply for and accept a State grant in the amount of $96,232 for the Homeless Shelter 5 - Approve the appointment of Jeffrey K. Carrine to the Parking Authority 7 - Approve the reappointment of Benjamin DaSilva, Robert Feinson, Harvey Center and Monsignor Kevin Wallin to the Cultural Commission 10 – Approve the transfer of $45,000 into the Fire Department Special Services Account 11 – Approve the transfer of $327 into the Commission on Aging Office Supplies Account 15 – Approve the payment of $1,397 in the manner described for damages to personal vehicles of volunteer firefighters during Hurricane Floyd 16 – Approve the proposed 1999-2000 budget for the Danbury Railyard Parking agreement 21 – Approve the extension of time for a sanitary sewer and water to 100 Saw Mill Road with the cited nine steps 22 – Receive the positive recommendation for a water extension on Morgan Avenue from the Planning Commission 23 – Receive the report and approve the recommendation for a $20,000 grant to the MCCA Sobering-Up Center Mr. Levy made a motion to adopt the Consent Calendar as presented. Seconded by Mr. Scalzo. Motion carried unanimously. 1 – ORDINANCE – Downtown Special Services District Mr. Arconti asked that this be deferred to public hearing. Mayor Eriquez so ordered. Page 1 of 6  2 – RESOLUTION – Workfare Food Stamp Grant RESOLVED by the Common Council of the City of Danbury: WHEREAS, the State of Connecticut Department of Social Services has notified the City of Danbury Welfare Department of its eligibility to apply for a grant for its Food Stamp Workfare Program; and WHEREAS, the Workfare Program would refer 20 Danbury area residents each month to the Job Search training program or skill training; and WHEREAS, the grant being offered is in the amount of $36,000.00 and will require no match funds from the City of Danbury; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT Gene F. Eriquez, Mayor of the City of Danbury is hereby authorized to apply for said grant on behalf of the Danbury Welfare Department, and to execute any and all documents to effectuate the purposes hereof. The resolution to apply for and accept a state grant in the amount of $36,000 for the Food Stamp Workfare Program was adopted on the Consent Calendar. 3 – RESOLUTION – Revised Resolution Still River Grant RESOLVED, that Gene F. Eriquez, Mayor of the City of Danbury be and hereby is authorized to execute, on behalf of the City of Danbury, a PERSONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT (PSA) with the State of Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection for financial assistance in the revised amount of $24,000 for the construction and maintenance of recreational trails (“Still River Trail”) with a local cash match of twenty (20%) percent. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Mayor Gene F. Eriquez was elected to office as of December 1, 1999 and will continue until December 1, 2001. As said Mayor, Gene F. Eriquez serves as the Chief Executive Officer for the City of Danbury and is duly authorized to enter into agreements and contracts on behalf of the City of Danbury. The revised resolution to apply for and accept a State grant in the amount of $24,000 for the Still River Project was adopted on the Consent Calendar. 4 – RESOLUTION – Homeless Shelter Grant RESOLVED by the Common Council of the City of Danbury: WHEREAS, the State of Connecticut, Department of Social Services has made available a grant in the amount of $96,232 for the operation of the Emergency Shelter; and WHEREAS, the grant period is October 1, 1999 through September 30, 2000; and WHEREAS, no local match is required. NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that Gene F. Eriquez, Mayor of the City of Danbury is empowered to execute and deliver in the name and on behalf of the City of Danbury a certain contract with the Department of Social Services of the State of Connecticut for this Emergency Shelter Grant and to affix the corporate seal. The revised resolution to apply for and accept a state grant in the amount of $96,232 for the Homeless Shelter was approved on the Consent Calendar. 5 – COMMUNICATION – Appointment to the Parking Authority Letter from Mayor Gene F. Eriquez requesting confirmation of the appointment of Jeffrey K. Carrine to the Parking Authority for a term to expire July 1, 2000. The communication was received and the appointment confirmed on the Consent Calendar. 6 - COMMUNICATION – Appointment to the Lake Kenosia Commission 2 Page 2 of 6  Letter from Mayor Gene F. Eriquez requesting confirmation of the appointment of Thomas Elliott to the Lake Kenosia Commission for a term to expire May 1, 2002. Mrs. Basso made a motion that the communication be received and the appointment confirmed. Seconded by Mrs. Saracino. Motion carried unanimously. 7 – COMMUNICATION – Reappointments to the Cultural Commission Letter from Mayor Eriquez requesting confirmation of Benjamin DaSilva, Robert Feinson, Msgr. Kevin Wallin and Harvey Center to the Cultural Commission for terms to expire February 1, 2003. The communication was received and the reappointments confirmed on the Consent Calendar. 8 – COMMUNICATION – Donations to the Department of Elderly Services Request from the Director of Elderly Services Leo McIlrath for permission to accept donations in the amount of $177 for the use of the Senior Center. Michael Moore made a motion to receive the communication, accept the donations, credit the proper line items and send letters of thanks. Seconded by Mrs. Basso. Motion carried unanimously. 9 – COMMUNICATION – Donations to the Library Request from Library Director Betsy McDonough requesting permission to accept donations in the amount of $93 for the library. Mrs. Abrantes made a motion to receive the communication, accept the donations, credit the proper line items and send letters of thanks. Seconded by Mr. Scalzo. Motion carried unanimously. 10 – COMMUNICATION – Fire Department Special Services Account Request from Fire Chief Carmen Oliver requesting that the sum of $45,000 be transferred into the Special Services Account for fire watch throughout the City. The transfer of funds was authorized on the Consent Calendar. 11 – COMMUNICATION – Reappropriation of Donated Funds Request from the Director of Elderly Services Leo McIlrath for a transfer of funds in the amount of $327 from the Elderly Services donations account to the Commission on Aging budget for the office supplies account. A certification of funds was attached. The reappropriation of funds was approved on the Consent Calendar. 12 – COMMUNICATION – Donation to the Police Department Request from Chief of Police Robert Paquette for permission to accept the donation of an Armored Personnel Carrier which has been declared surplus property by the Department of Defense. After discussion, Mr. Scalzo moved the question. Seconded by Mr. McAllister. Motion carried unanimously. Mrs. Abrantes made a motion to receive the communication, accept the donation and send a letter of thanks. Seconded by Mr. Pascuzzi. Motion carried with Martin Moore voting in the negative. 13 – COMMUNICATION – Millennium Project List of donations to the Millennium Project. Mrs. Abrantes made a motion to receive the communication, accept the donations, credit the proper line item and send letters of thanks. Seconded by Mr. Furtado. Motion carried unanimously. 14 – COMMUNICATION – FEMA Reimbursement/Reappropriation Request from the Director of Finance Dominic Setaro that the sum of $268,903.31 which represents City department reimbursements be reappropriated per the document entitled “FEMA Funds to be Appropriated”. This is necessary so that departments can replenish the various accounts that were affected by Hurricane Floyd. Mr. Saadi made a motion to receive the communication and reappropriate the sum of $268,903.31 as outlined in the document entitled ‘FEMA Funds to be Appropriated”. Seconded by Mrs. Basso. Motion carried unanimously. 15 – COMMUNICATION – Volunteer Firefighters Reimbursement 3 Page 3 of 6  Report from the Director of Finance Dominic Setaro recommending reimbursements for volunteer firefighters from Padanaram Hose Company #3 regarding damages from Hurricane Floyd to vehicles. The communication was received and the amount of $1,397 approved for payment in the manner described for damages to personal vehicles of volunteer firefighters during Hurricane Floyd on the Consent Calendar. 16 – COMMUNICATION – Danbury Railyard Parking Proposed Budget Proposed budget from the Director of Finance regarding revenue received from the Parking Authority for permits. According to the Railroad Station lease between the City and the State, the City is to use this money towards the upkeep of the Metro North Railroad Station. Revenue received to date is $11,590. The communication was received and the proposed 1999-2000 budget for the Danbury Railyard Parking agreement was approved on the Consent Calendar. 17 – COMMUNICATION – ARC Ice Rink Project Letter from the Republican Members of the Common Council asking that an investigatory committee be appointed to review the ARC Ice Rink Project. Mr. Arconti asked that this be referred to a committee of the whole. Mayor Eriquez so ordered. 18 – COMMUNICATION – Tax Abatement for Volunteer Firefighters Letter from Council Member Warren Levy asking that a committee be appointed to study a tax abatement for volunteer firefighters. Mr. McAllister asked that this be referred to an ad hoc committee, the Corporation Counsel, the Director of Finance and the President of the Volunteers. Mayor Eriquez so ordered and appointed Council Members Levy, Pascuzzi and Saracino to the committee. 19 – COMMUNICATION – Request to Purchase City Property at 7 Bridle Ridge Road Letter from Roderick and Alexandra Edwards asking that City property known as 7 Bridle Ridge Road be declared surplus property to allow them to purchase this property. Mr. McAllister asked that this be referred to the Corporation Counsel, the City Engineer and the Director of Environmental Services for reports back within thirty days. Mayor Eriquez so ordered. 20 – COMMUNICATION – Request for Sidewalk along Tamarack Avenue Letter from Craig Machado and Richard Hasbany requesting that a sidewalk be constructed on the right side of Tamarack Avenue. Dean Esposito asked that this be referred to the Director of Public Works for a report back within thirty days. Mayor Eriquez so ordered. 21 – COMMUNICATION – Sanitary Sewer and Water Extensions – 100 Saw Mill Road. Report from the Director of Public Works William Buckley and the City Engineer Patricia Ellsworth asking that the above sewer and water extensions at 100 Saw Mill Road be granted in accordance with nine steps as set out at a committee meeting held on October 20, 1998. There is no evidence that this meeting took place because minutes and/or a report were never filed by the Chairman, Michael Falzone, who has left the Common Council. The sewer and water extensions were approved with the cited nine steps on the Consent Calendar. 22 – COMMUNICATION – Report from the Planning Commission regarding water extension on Morgan Avenue. A positive recommendation from the Planning Commission regarding a proposed water extension for a hydrant at Morgan Avenue Portuguese Cultural Center. The positive recommendation for a water extension on Morgan Avenue from the Planning Commission was received on the Consent Calendar. 23 – REPORT – Appropriation of Funds for MCCA Sobering-Up Center Mr. Levy submitted the following report: 4 Page 4 of 6  The Common Council Committee appointed to review the request for appropriation of funds for MCCA Sobering Up Center met January 18, 2000 at 7:30 P.M. in the Common Council Work Room on the third floor in City Hall. In attendance were committee members Levy and Machado. Mr. Moore was absent due to work. Also in attendance were Director of Finance Dominic Setaro, Director of MCCA Joseph Sullivan and Council Member Pauline Basso, ex- officio. Mr. Levy opened the meeting by explaining that the questions related to funding at the last committee meeting had been resolved. Mr. Levy also stated that prior to tonight’s meeting he spoke with the President of City Center Danbury about the Sobering Up Program. He asked Mark Nolan if the program was helping to reduce public intoxication down town. He said it was a worth while program and was helping. Mr. Sullivan explained that the program has been in operation for one year now and is exceeding expectations in treating of public intoxication. At the committee’s request he is also now soliciting funds from surrounding communities. At short question and answer session followed. Mr. Machado made a motion to approve $20,000 grant to MCCA as certified by the Director of Finance on June 30, 1999. Motion was seconded by Mr. Levy and passed unanimously. Motion to adjourn by Mr. Machado at 7:45 P.M. Seconded by Mr. Levy and passed. The report was received and a grant in the amount of $20,000 was approved on the Consent Calendar. 24 – COMMUNICATION – Barden Corporation v. City of Danbury Mr. Arconti made a motion to move this item to the end of the agenda. Seconded by Dean Esposito. Motion carried unanimously. 25 – DEPARTMENT REPORTS – Police Chief, Highways, Fire Chief, Health and Housing, Elderly Services, Engineering, Public Utilities, Fire Marshall, Public Building Maintenance. Mr. Arconti made a motion to receive the reports and waive the reading as all members have copies which are on file in the Office of the City Clerk for public inspection. Seconded by Mary Saracino. Motion carried unanimously. 26 – COMMUNICATION – Mr. Arconti made a motion to add item 26 Appointment to the Aviation Commission to the agenda. Seconded by Mary Saracino. Motion carried with Mr. Gallagher voting in the negative. Letter from Mayor Eriquez requesting the confirmation of Thomas Prunty to the Aviation Commission for a term to expire July 1, 2000. Mr. Saadi made a motion to receive the communication and confirm the appointment of Thomas Prunty to the Aviation Commission for a term to expire July 1, 2000. Seconded by Mr. Scalzo. Motion carried unanimously. 27 – COMMUNICATION – Mr. Arconti made a motion to add item 27 Appointment as an alternate to the Fair Rent Commission. Seconded by Mary Saracino. Motion carried with Mr. Gallagher voting in the negative. Letter from Mayor Eriquez requesting confirmation of the appointment of Louise McMahon as an alternate to the Fair Rent Commission for a term to expire July 1, 2001. Mrs. Abrantes made a motion to receive the communication and approve the appointment of Louise McMahon as an alternate to the Fair Rent Commission for a term to expire July 1, 2001. Seconded by Mrs. Basso. Motion carried unanimously. 28 – COMMUNICATION – Mr. Arconti made a motion to add item 28 appointment to the Parks and Recreation Commission. Seconded by Mary Saracino. Motion carried with Mr. Gallagher voting in the negative. Letter from Mayor Eriquez requesting confirmation of the appointment of Glenn Lake to the Parks and Recreation Commission for a term to expire December 1, 2002. Mrs. Basso made a motion to receive the communication and approve the appointment of Glenn Lake to the Parks and Recreation Commission for a term to expire December 1, 2002. Seconded by Mrs. Abrantes. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Eriquez extended all committees. At 8:16 P.M. Mr. Levy made a motion to enter into Executive Session. Seconded by Gogliettino. Motion carried unanimously. 5 Page 5 of 6  At 8:30 P.M. the Common Council reconvened in open session 24 – Mr. Gallagher made a motion to accept the recommendation as outlined in Executive Session. Seconded by Dean Esposito. Motion carried unanimously. There being no further business to come before the Common Council a motion was made at 8:32 P.M. by Mr. Gallagher for the meeting to be adjourned. Respectfully submitted, ______________________________ JIMMETTA L. SAMAHA Assistant City Clerk ATTEST: ________________________________ Elizabeth Crudginton City Clerk 6 Page 6 of 6