City Council

Mayor Mark D. Boughton called the City Council Meeting to order at 7:30pm on Tuesday, May 3, 2011. Present were Council members: Robert Arconti, Philip Curran, Nancy Deep-Damici, Gregg Seabury, Colleen Stanley, Philip Colla, Shay Nagarsheth, Don Taylor, Michael Halas, Joseph Cavo, Thomas Saadi, Fred Visconti, Charles Trombetta, Jack Knapp, Peter Nero, Duane Perkins, Benjamin Chianese, Paul T. Rotello, Mary Teicholz, Joseph Scozzafava PRESENT: 20 ABSENT: 1 Council Member Riley was ill. Mayor Boughton wished him a speedy recovery. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG & PRAYER: Council Member Nagarsheth led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance. Council Member Curran led everyone in the room in a prayer. PUBLIC SPEAKING Lynn Waller of 83 Highland Avenue spoke on item #16. Lynn Taborsak of 110 Hayestown 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 April 5, 2011 and the Special Meeting April 20th 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 Nagarsheth. Motion passed by unanimous vote. CONSENT CALENDAR Council Member Gregg Seabury read the following items for the Consent Calendar: 1 - Receive the Communication and approve the appointment of John Neumuller (R), Rose Marie Bouclier (D), and Joanne LaPorta (U) as members of the Commission on Persons with Disabilities with a term to expire May 3, 2014. 5 - Receive the Communication and accept the donation to the City of Danbury Fire Department of three Automatic External Defibrillators from the Danbury Hospital Development Fund. The approximate value of the 3 AEDs is $6,000. 8 - Receive the Communication and approve the reappointment of McGladrey & Pullen as the City’s Independent Auditors for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2011. 9 - Receive the Communication from MBD Realty, LLC and refer this item to the Planning Department, Corporation Counsel and the City Engineer for reports. 10 - Receive the Communication and adopt the Resolution to reapprove the acquisition of a certain piece or parcel of land on 53 Lincoln Avenue for Drainage Easements. 11 - Receive the Communication and adopt the Resolution to allow the City of Danbury to enter into an agreement with the Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board for funding of the Summer Youth Employment Program. Funding for the operation of this program will go to the Police Athletic League totaling $56,187 and to the Danbury Youth Services totaling $41,713. No City match is required. 1 12 - Receive the Communication and adopt the Resolution to allow the City of Danbury, in conjunction with the Housing Authority of the City of Danbury, to apply for and accept federal funding for the Neighborhood Stabilization Program. 13 - Receive the Communication and adopt the Resolution to allow the City of Danbury Fire Department to accept funding from the Fair Plan Anti-Arson Committee. This funding, not to exceed $500, will be used to purchase a digital camera and accessories for use by the Fire Marshalls Office. 14 - Receive the Communication and adopt the Resolutions that will allow the City of Danbury to apply for and accept funding from the State Local Capitol Improvements Program (LoCIP). The March 2011 entitlement amount from the State is $550,428.00. Once other LoCIP eligible CIP projects listed in the FY10/11 budget are finalized, Resolutions will be submitted for approval. 15 - Receive the Communication and adopt the Resolution to allow the City of Danbury Health and Human Services Department to apply for and accept funding from the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health through the Preventative Health Services Block grant program. This funding, not to exceed $11,987, will be used in conjunction with the School Based Health Centers at the High School and two Middle Schools for a Youth Violence prevention program. 19 - Receive the report of the Committee of the Whole and adopt the Resolution that will allow the named agencies to apply for and accept funding in the form of tax credits from the State of Connecticut Neighborhood Assistance Act. 20 – Receive the Report and approve the time extension as requested for Sanitary Sewer and Water Main extensions at Prindle Lane – International Business Center, LLC in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth by the Corporation Counsel and the City Engineer. Council Member Knapp moved to accept the Consent Calendar as presented, seconded by Council Member Taylor. Motion passed by unanimous vote. 1 - COMMUNICATION - Appointments to the Commission on Persons with Disabilities The Communication was received on the Consent Calendar and the appointments approved. 2 - COMMUNICATION - Donations - Sculptures Jean Natale, Legislative Assistant read the communication. Council Member Nagarsheth moved to receive the communication, accept the donation and authorize the Mayor or his designee to execute the License Agreement, seconded by Council Member Rotello. Discussion followed concerning proposed locations and assumption of responsibility once the statues are placed. Council Member Rotello spoke in favor of the motion. Motion passed by unanimous vote. 3 - COMMUNICATION - Donation to Police Department Jean Natale, Legislative Assistant, read the communication. Council Member Colla moved to receive the communication, accept the donation of $13,000 from Donald Lajoie and place the funds in the Donations Account #6000.2000, seconded by Council Member Arconti. Council Members Arconti, Curran, Deep-Damici, Seabury, Stanley, Taylor, Colla, Nagarsheth, Halas, Cavo, Visconti, Trombetta, Knapp, Nero, Perkins, Chianese, Rotello, Teicholz and Scozzafava voted in favor. Council Member Saadi voted in opposition. Motion passed 19/1. 4 - COMMUNICATION - Donations to Park and Recreation Department Jean Natale, Legislative Assistant, read the communication. Council Member Teicholz moved to receive the communication and accept the donations in the amount of $3,650.00 from Danbury Athletic Youth Organization and Silvestri Fencing Company valued at $2,500.00, seconded by Council Member Nagarsheth. Discussion followed with Nick Kaplanis 2 explaining that some of the work has already been performed due to safety concerns. Motion passed by unanimous vote. 5 - COMMUNICATION - Donation of Defibulators The Communication was received on the Consent Calendar and the donation accepted. 6 - COMMUNICATION - Donation to Danbury Library Jean Natale, Legislative Assistant, read the communication. Council Member Taylor moved to receive the communication, accept the donation from Betty Dinto in the amount of $6,851.00 and place the funds in account 7000.5701, Office Equipment, seconded by Council Member Colla. Council Member Taylor recognized and thanked the businesses, volunteers and donors of Danbury for their generosity to the City. Motion passed by unanimous vote. 7 - COMMUNICATION - Certification of Funds - Farioly Fund Council Member Curran requested referral to an Ad Hoc with the Library Director and Library Board. Council Members Curran, Arconti and Saadi were appointed to the committee. 8 - COMMUNICATION - Appointment of Independent Auditors The Communication was received on the Consent Calendar and the reappointment approved. 9 - COMMUNICATION - Conveyance of Land and Sidewalk Easement - MBD Realty The Communication was received on the Consent Calendar and referred to Planning, Corporation Counsel and the City Engineer for reports. 10 - RESOLUTION - Drainage Easement Renewal - Lincoln Avenue The Communication and Resolution were received on the Consent Calendar and the Resolution adopted. 11 - RESOLUTION - Summer Youth Employment - (NWRIB) The Communication and Resolution were received on the Consent Calendar and the Resolution adopted. 12 - RESOLUTION - Additional Assistance for Neighborhood Stabilization Program The Communication and Resolution were received on the Consent Calendar and the Resolution adopted. 13 - RESOLUTION - CT Fair Plan Grant - Fire Department The Communication and Resolution were received on the Consent Calendar and the Resolution adopted. 14 - RESOLUTION - LOCIP 2010- 2011 Applications The communication and Resolution were received on the Consent Calendar and the Resolution adopted. 15 - RESOLUTION - Preventive Health Block Grant The Communication and Resolution were received on the Consent Calendar and the Resolution adopted. 16 - ORDINANCE & RESOLUTION - An Ordinance Making Appropriations for the Fiscal Year Beginning July 1, 2011 and ending June 30, 2012 and a Resolution Levying the Property Tax for the Fiscal Year beginning July 1, 2011 and ending June 30, 2012 Council Member Cavo moved to approve the ordinance making appropriations for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2001 and ending June 20, 2012 and the Resolution Levying the property tax for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2011 and ending June 30, 2012, 3 seconded by Council Member Seabury. Council Member Cavo moved to waive the reading of the committee reports as all members have copies and additional copies are on file in the Office of the Legislative Assistant. As there was no objection, Mayor Boughton so ordered. A. General Government 1 Budget Report Council Member Cavo moved to receive the report and adopt the recommendations of the committee, seconded by Council Member Teicholz. Council Members Arconti, Curran, Deep-Damici, Seabury, Stanley, Taylor, Colla, Nagarsheth, Halas, Cavo, Visconti, Trombetta, Knapp, Nero, Perkins, Chianese, Rotello, Teicholz and Scozzafava voted in favor. Council Member Saadi voted in opposition. Motion passed 19/1. B. General Government II Budget Report Council Member Trombetta moved to receive the report and adopt the recommendations of the committee, seconded by Council Member Teicholz. Council Members Arconti, Curran, Deep-Damici, Seabury, Stanley, Taylor, Colla, Nagarsheth, Halas, Cavo, Visconti, Trombetta, Knapp, Nero, Chianese, Teicholz and Scozzafava voted in favor. Council Members Saadi, Rotello and Perkins voted in opposition. Motion passed 17/3. C. Education Budget Report Council Member Arconti moved to receive the report and adopt the recommendations of the committee, seconded by Council Member Stanley. Council Members Arconti, Curran, Deep-Damici, Seabury, Stanley, Taylor, Colla, Nagarsheth, Halas, Cavo, Saadi, Visconti, Trombetta, Knapp, Nero, Perkins, Chianese, Teicholz and Scozzafava voted in favor. Council Member Rotello voted in opposition. Motion passed 19/1. D. Public Works Budget Report Council Member Seabury moved to receive the report and adopt the recommendations of the committee, seconded by Council Member Taylor. Motion passed by unanimous vote. E. Health & Housing, Public Safety, Welfare & Social Services Budget Report Council Member Knapp moved to receive the report and adopt the recommendations of the committee, seconded by Council Member Teicholz. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Discussion followed on the main motion. The Fund Balance, one time revenues, lack of growth in the grand list and bond rating requirements were discussed. Council Member Saadi moved to transfer $1,000,000 from the fund balance to revenues for the City and to adjust the mill rate downward accordingly, seconded by Council Member Visconti. Discussion and debate followed with Council Member Rotello speaking in favor of the motion. Council Members Arconti, Taylor, Cavo and Scozzafava spoke in opposition of the motion. The vote on the motion was taken: Council Members Saadi, Visconti and Rotello voted in favor. Council Members Arconti, Curran, Deep-Damici, Seabury, Stanley, Taylor, Colla, Nagarsheth, Halas, Cavo, Trombetta, Knapp, Nero, Perkins, Chianese, Teicholz and Scozzafava voted in opposition. Motion failed 3/17. Discussion then ensued on the main motion. Revenue shortfalls, reoccurring expenses, trending, forecasting, pension expenses and healthcare expenses were discussed. Council President Cavo thanked the Director of Finance and his staff, Department Heads and the Mayor for their work on putting the budget together and the difficult decisions that needed to be made. 4 The vote was taken on the main motion as follows: Council Members Arconti, Curran, Deep- Damici, Seabury, Stanley, Taylor, Colla, Nagarsheth, Halas, Cavo, Trombetta, Knapp, Nero, Chianese, Teicholz and Scozzafava, Visconti voted in favor. Council Members Saadi, Perkins and Rotello voted in opposition. Motion passed 17/3. 17 - ORDINANCE - An Ordinance Appropriating $3,000,000 for Public Improvements in The 2011-2012 Capital Budget and Authorizing the Issuance of $3,000,000 Bonds of the City to Meet Said Appropriations And Pending The Issuance Thereof The Making Of Temporary Borrowings For Such Purpose Council Member Cavo moved to approve the Ordinance appropriating $3,000,000 for public improvements in the 2011-2012 Capital Budget and authorizing the issuance of $3,000,000 bond of the City to meet said appropriations and pending the issuance thereof the making of temporary borrowings for such purpose, seconded by Council Member Knapp. Discussion followed concerning the artificial turf. The existing artificial turf has experienced excessive use and has exceeded its life expectancy. If the repair is not performed, the field would need to be closed due to safety and liability concerns. Council Member Saadi spoke in favor of the motion. Motion passed by unanimous vote. 18 - REPORT & ORDINANCE - Amendment to Code of Ordinances - Conveyance Tax Council Member Stanley requested to table the item for the June meeting. As there was no objection, Mayor Boughton so ordered. 19 - REPORT - 2011 Neighborhood Assistance Act The Report was received on the Consent Calendar and the Resolution to follow adopted. 20 - REPORTS - Sanitary Sewer and Water Extension Prindle Lane - Interstate Business Center, LLC The Reports were received on the Consent Calendar and the request approved subject to conditions. 21 - AD HOC REPORT - Information Technology - Software/Hardware (CRM) Project Council Member Cavo moved to waive the reading of the report as all members have copies and copies are on file in the Office of the Legislative Assistant. As there was no objection, Mayor Boughton so ordered. Council Member Nagarsheth moved to receive the communication and report and recommended adoption of the Resolution, seconded by Council Member Teicholz. Discussion followed. Funding, contract review, training, pre-planning periods and implementation was discussed. David St. Hilaire advised that the software/hardware would be a collection of systems interacting and interfacing as one and would lead to greater efficiency among departments. Atty. Pinter advised that each agreement would be reviewed individually and would tailor back to the CRM Project. Council Member Seabury moved the question, seconded by Council Member Saadi. Motion passed by unanimous vote. The vote was taken on the main motion. Motion passed by unanimous vote. 23 - DEPARTMENT REPORTS - Homeless Task Force, Police, Fire, Health-Housing & Welfare, Dream Homes, Public Works, Permit Center, UNIT, Elderly Services, Library 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 Seabury. As there was no objection, Mayor Boughton so moved. 5 Council Member Taylor stated his appreciation of the quality of the young people involved in the Explorer Program. Mayor Boughton extended all committees There being no further business to come before the City Council, a motion was made at 9:32 pm by Council Member Seabury 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 6