City Council

Honorable Mark D. Boughton, Mayor City Council Members Mayor Mark D. Boughton called the City Council Meeting to order at 7:30pm on Thursday, February 3, 2011. Present were Council Members: Robert Arconti, Philip Curran, Robert Riley, Gregg Seabury, Colleen Stanley, Philip Colla, Don Taylor (entered at 7:49pm), Joseph Cavo, Fred Visconti, Charles Trombetta, Peter Nero, Benjamin Chianese, Paul T. Rotello, Mary Teicholz, Sal Tumino PRESENT: 15 ABSENT: 6 Council Members Nagarsheth, Halas, Knapp, and Perkins had work commitments. Council Member Deep-Damici was on vacation and Council Member Saadi had a military commitment. Mayor Boughton welcomed Boy Scout Troop 9 to the meeting. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG & PRAYER: Greg Rubino from Troop 9 led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance. Council Member Riley led everyone in a prayer. PUBLIC SPEAKING Irving Fox, Chair of the Board of Education, 58 Wedgwood Drive spoke in favor of item #16. Ken Gucker, 89 Padanaram Road spoke on item #16. Public speaking closed at 7:45pm. Mayor Boughton read the announcements for the month. MINUTES - Minutes of the Council Meeting held January 4, 2011 Council Member Cavo moved to waive the reading of the minutes as all members have copies and additional copies are on file in the Office of the Legislative Assistant, seconded by Council Member Seabury. Mayor Boughton noted that in the minutes of the Committee of the Whole, the word resolution should be amended to read Ordinance. Motion passed by unanimous vote. CONSENT CALENDAR Council Member Gregg Seabury read the following items for the Consent Calendar: 8 – Receive the Communication and adopt the Resolution regarding the Real Estate Tax Abatement for the Beaver Street Apartments Cooperative, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2010. The abatement will be in an amount not to exceed $11,000.00 9 – Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution to authorize the Corporation Council’s office to take the steps necessary to acquire the Drainage Easement - Tax Assessor’s lot number G14282. 10 - Receive the Reports from the Planning Commission and the City Engineer and approve the request for Sewer Extension for proposed expansion of Blue Garage at Danbury Hospital, portion of 24 Hospital Avenue lot #112001. 1 11 – Receive the Report and approve the Grant of Easement by the City of Danbury to Plumtrees Plaza, LLC. The petitioner will pay the City the sum of $23,700.00 for the easement, the appraised value. 12 - Receive the Ad Hoc Committee Report and approve the recommendations of the committee to allow the Permit Coordinator to enforce the current Ordinances and Regulations with the help of the Public Works Department. 13 - Receive the Ad Hoc Committee Report and approve the recommendations of the committee to ask the Mayor’s Office and Public Works Department to explore the possibility of moving the Danbury Library Drop Box to a location in the parking lot in which the patrons can drive up to return materials. 17 - Receive the Ad Hoc Committee Report and adopt the recommendations of the committee as suggested. Council Member Teicholz moved to accept the Consent Calendar as presented, seconded by Council Member Rotello. Motion passed by unanimous vote. 1 - COMMUNICATION - Promotions - Danbury Fire Department Jean Natale, Legislative Assistant read the communication. Council Member Curran moved to promote Fire Fighter John Halas to the rank of Lieutenant, seconded by Council Member Stanley. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Council Member Taylor entered the meeting at 7:49pm. Council Member Cavo moved to confirm the appointment of Fire Fighter Robert Forbes to the position of Lieutenant, seconded by Council Member Chianese. Motion passed by unanimous vote. 2 - COMMUNICATION - Cell Tower - Richter Park Jean Natale, Legislative Assistant, read the communication. Councilman Riley requested referral to an Ad Hoc with Corporation Counsel, a Representative from the Office of the Mayor, a representative from the Richter Authority and Planning Report. Mayor Boughton so ordered and appointed Council Members Knapp, Colla and Perkins to the committee. 3 - COMMUNICATION - Request for Ad Hoc - Off Leash Dog Park Jean Natale, Legislative Assistant, read the communication. Council Member Teicholz requested referral to an Ad Hoc committee with Corporation Counsel, Director of Planning, the Director of Parks and Recreation and the Director of Public Works. Mayor Boughton so ordered and appointed Council Members Teicholz, Knapp and Nero to the committee. 4 - COMMUNICATION - Request for Ad Hoc - Rogers Park and other City Parks Jean Natale, Legislative Assistant, read the communication. Council Member Stanley requested referral to an Ad Hoc with Corporation Counsel, Director of Parks and Recreation, Director of Public Works and the Chairman of the Parks and Recreation Commission. Mayor Boughton so ordered and appointed Council Members Seabury, Tumino and Visconti to the committee. 5 - COMMUNICATION - Donation to the Danbury Municipal Airport Item number 5 was withdrawn. 2 6 - COMMUNICATION - Amendments to Ordinances - Sewer and Water and Public Works Assessments Procedures Council Member Tumino requested referral to an Ad Hoc with Corporation Counsel, Director of Finance, Director of Public Works and Superintendent of Public Utilities. Mayor Boughton so ordered and appointed Council Members Cavo, Knapp and Saadi to the committee. 7 - COMMUNICATION - Certification of Funds - Snow/Ice Removal & Vehicle Maintenance Jean Natale Legislative Assistant, read the communication. Council Member Seabury moved to approve the appropriation of $275,000 for snow/ice removal and vehicle maintenance, seconded by Council Member Chianese. Council Members Taylor and Rotello expressed their appreciation for the work of the Public Works Department during the recent storms. Mayor Boughton advised that overtime and equipment repair expenses would be closely monitored. Motion passed by unanimous vote. 8 - RESOLUTION - Beaver Street Apartments Cooperative, Inc. State of Connecticut Real Estate Tax Abatement The communication and Resolution were received on the Consent Calendar and the Resolution adopted 9 - RESOLUTION - Drainage Easement - 19 Laurel Street The communication and Resolution were received on the Consent Calendar and the Resolution adopted. 10 - REPORT - Sewer Extension - Danbury Hospital The reports were received on the Consent Calendar and the request for sewer extension granted. 11- REPORT - Easement Extension - Plumtrees Plaza The report was received on the Consent Calendar and the easement granted subject to payment. 12 - AD HOC REPORT - Signs on City Property The report was received on the Consent Calendar and recommendations of the committee approved. 13 - AD HOC REPORT - Danbury Library Drop Box The report was received on the Consent Calendar and the recommendations of the committee approved. 14 - AD HOC REPORT - Briar Ridge Area Sewer Survey Council Member Cavo moved to waive the reading of the report as all members have copies and copies are also on file in the Office of the Legislative Assistant, seconded by Council Member Teicholz. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Council Member Seabury moved to receive the report and take no action, seconded by Council Member Riley. Councilman Ben Chianese recused himself. Motion passed by unanimous vote. 15 - AD HOC REPORT - Transfer of State Armory Council Member Cavo moved to waive the reading of the report as all members have copies and copies are also on file in the Office of the Legislative Assistant. As there was no objection the reading of the report was waived. Council Member Taylor requested referral to a Public Hearing. Mayor Boughton so ordered. 3 16 - AD HOC REPORT - BOE - American Carrera Tech Council Member Cavo moved to waive the reading of the report. As there was no objection the reading of the report was waived. Council Member Cavo moved to receive the report and adopt the recommendation to authorize the school board to negotiate with American Carrera Tech for solar panels, seconded by Council Member Stanley. Discussion followed concerning structural issues. Richard Palanzo, Supt. of Public Buildings, advised that an independent engineer evaluated Park Avenue School, reviewed the submittals and has determined that there would be no problem adding solar rays to the roof. Jerry Charlup, American Cerrera Tech representative, stated that any roof failure would be the responsibility of the school district. Recent bids for this type of project have come in far below estimates and there is not a guaranteed performance contract. Financial issues were discussed. Elio Longo, Director of Finance for the school system advised that the project savings will offset the cost and there would be no additional funding from the taxpayers. Mr. Charlup stated that replacement panels would be available and extended warranties are also available. Applications are in the process for grant funding. Council Member Chianese recommended a friendly amendment to cap the amount at $2.5M and if it comes in at a higher cost, the project would not go forward. Council Member Cavo had no objection. Mr. Longo advised that oversight of the project would be the responsibility of the Board of Education and the Director of Sites and Facilities in partnership with the City. The appropriate permits would be obtained and inspections performed A vote was taken with Council Members Arconti, Seabury, Stanley, Colla, Taylor, Cavo, Visconti, Trombetta, Nero, Chianese, Rotello, Teicholz, Tumino voted in favor. Council members Curran and Riley voted in the negative. Motion passed by majority vote (13-2). 17 - AD HOC REPORT - Governmental Entities and Review The report was received on the Consent Calendar and the recommendations of the committee adopted. 18 - DEPARTMENT REPORTS - Police, Fire, Health-Housing & Welfare, Dream Homes, Public Works, Permit Center, UNIT, Library, Elderly Services Council Member Cavo moved to waive the reading of the Department Reports as all members have copies and copies are on file in the Office of the Legislative Assistant, seconded by Council Member Taylor. Mayor Boughton thanked the Department of Public Works on their outstanding job with all of the recent storms. Motion passed by unanimous vote. EXECUTIVE SESSION 19 - EXECUTIVE SESSION - Tax Appeal Settlements The council entered into executive session at 8:33pm to discuss Tax Appeal Settlements. Council Member Cavo assumed the chair at 8:57pm and brought the Council back into regular session on the motion of Council Member Rotello, seconded by Council Member Trombetta. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Mayor Boughton assumed the chair at 8:59pm. 4 Council Member Seabury moved to adopt the recommendations of Corporation Counsel dealing with tax appeals, seconded by Council Member Stanley. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Mayor Boughton extended all committees with the exception of the following: #12 from April 2008 Interlocal Sewer and Water Agreement change Calandrino to Cavo and sunset the following: Item #25 from April 2010 Shopping Carts, Item #10 from March 2010 Repeal of Ordinance, Item #10 from January 2009 Request for Volunteer Center There being no further business to come before the City Council, a motion was made at 9:02 pm by Council Member Cavo and seconded by Council Member Taylor to adjourn the meeting. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Respectfully submitted: Dorathea A. Gulya-Stasny Recording Secretary Attest: Mark D. Boughton, Mayor 5