City Council

Mayor Mark D. Boughton called the City Council Meeting to order at 7:30pm on Tuesday, February 7, 2012 in the Council Chambers at City Hall. Present were Council Members: Philip Curran, Michael Haddad, Jack Knapp, Warren Levy, Gregg Seabury, Colleen Stanley, Shay Nagarsheth, Michael Halas, Joseph Cavo, Thomas Saadi, Fred Visconti, Andrew Wetmore, Peter Nero, Duane Perkins, Benjamin Chianese, Paul T. Rotello, Joe Scozzafava and Mary Teicholz PRESENT: 18 ABSENT: 2 VACANCY: 1 Council Member Taylor was sick and Council Member Colla had a death in the family. Jean Natale, Legislative Assistant, Robert J. Yamin, Corporation Counsel; and Laszlo Pinter, Deputy Corporation Counsel were also present. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG & PRAYER: Sean Hatch led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance. Council Member Curran led everyone in the room in a prayer. PUBLIC SPEAKING Margaret Mitchell, property owner at Main and Park Place, spoke on items 8 and 25. Charles Setaro, 27 Deer Hill Avenue, spoke on items 17, 18 and 27. Ken Gucker, 89 Padanaram Road, spoke on items 8, 11 and 25. Public speaking ended at 7:53pm. Mayor Boughton read the announcements. MINUTES - Minutes of the Council Meeting held on January 4, 2012 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 Perkins. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Consent Calendar Council Member Seabury read the Consent Calendar. 3 - Receive the Communication and confirm the appointment of Roberto Perez (D), Frank Reed (R) and Frances Ryan (R) to the Commission on Persons with Disabilities, with terms to expire March 1, 2015. 4 - Receive the Communication and confirm the appointment of Chris Robinson (R) to fill the vacancy on the Candlewood Lake Authority, with a term to expire April 1, 2015. 5 - Receive the Communication and confirm the appointment of Connie M. Vitetta (R) to fill a vacancy as an Alternate Member on the Commission on Aging with a term to expire October 1, 2015. 6 - Receive the Communication and confirm the appointment of Geoffrey Herald (U) to serve as a Member of the Danbury Museum & Historical Society Authority. 7 – Receive the Communication and refer the appointments to the Committee on the Decennial Reapportionment / 2012 to the City Council Majority Leader and City Council Minority Leader. The recommendations of two (2) members by each Party as outlined in the City Charter section 2-4, as well as the designation of a Fifth Member as chosen by the committee, must be filed with the Town Clerk no later than February 15, 2012. 1 16 – Receive the Communication and Adopt the Resolution for the FEMA Performance Grant for the Federal Fiscal Year 2012. This grant will allow the City of Danbury to submit the expenses for personnel and administrative expenditures for the Department of Civil Preparedness. 17 - Receive the Communication and Adopt the Resolution concerning the FEMA Multi- Hazard Mitigation Plan. This plan provides for eligibility for Mitigation Grant offers now and in the future where the need arises. 18 - Receive the Communication and Adopt the Resolution for a FAA grant to rehabilitate the Hazard Beacons and Rotating Beacon, replacement of the lighting control panel in the ATC as well as the installation of signs and markings on Taxiway “R”. 21 - Receive the Report of the Corporation Council and approve the petition of 62 Sound Apartments, LLC to accept an extension of 62 Chestnut Street Extension and related drainage easements. The Planning Commission and the City Engineer have given positive recommendations on the proposed acceptances. 22 - Receive the Ad Hoc Report and adopt the recommendations of the Audit Committee. 23 - Receive the Ad Hoc Report and adopt the recommendations of the Government Entities Committee and refer to Public Hearing. 26 - Receive the Ad Hoc Report and adopt the recommendations of the Danbury Railway Museum – Lease and License Renewal Committee. Council Member Knapp moved to receive the Consent Calendar as presented, seconded by Council Member Chianese. Motion passed by unanimous vote. 1 – COMMUNICATION - Teamsters Contract Council Member Scozzafava recused himself from discussion and voting. Jean Natale, Legislative Assistant, read the communication. Council Member Wetmore moved to receive the communication and contract as presented and to authorize funding for the collective bargaining agreement, seconded by Council Member Visconti. Discussion followed regarding the dates of the contract, healthcare benefit and overtime. Mayor Boughton stated that the City would realize significant cost savings on the pensions alone. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Council Member Scozzafava returned to the meeting. 2 – COMMUNICATION - DMEA Contract Jean Natale, Legislative Assistant, read the communication. Council Member Knapp moved to receive the communication and ratify the collective bargaining agreement between the City and UPSEU Local 424-Unit 14, Danbury Municipal Employees Association, seconded by Council Member Teicholz. Discussion followed regarding the dates of the contract and the dates changes go into effect. Council Member Levy spoke in favor of ratification of the contract. Motion passed by unanimous vote. 3 – COMMUNICATION-Appointments to the Commissions on Persons With Disabilities The communication was received on the Consent Calendar and the appointments confirmed. 4 – COMMUNICATION - Appointment to the Candlewood Lake Authority The communication was received on the Consent Calendar and the appointment confirmed. 2 5 – COMMUNICATION - Appointment – Alternate Commission on Aging The communication was received on the Consent Calendar and the appointment confirmed. 6 – COMMUNICATION - Appointment to the Danbury Museum & Historical Society The communication was received on the Consent Calendar and the appointments confirmed. 7 – COMMUNICATION - Reapportionment 2012 The item was received on the Consent Calendar and the appointments referred to the Committee on the Decennial Reappoortionment/2020 to the City Council Majority Leader and City Council Minority Leader. 8 – COMMUNICATION - Surplus Property Sale – 13 Main Street/WIC Building Council Member Curran moved to refer to an Ad Hoc with Corporation Counsel, Director of Public Works and Planning report. Mayor Boughton so moved and appointed Council Members Knapp, Wetmore and Chianese to the committee. 9 – COMMUNICATION - Donation – Fire Department Jean Natale, Legislative Assistant, read the communication. Council Member Nagarsheth moved to accept the donation and send a letter of thanks, seconded by Council Member Seabury. Motion passed by unanimous vote. 10 – COMMUNICATION - Ambulance Fund - Capital Vehicle Jean Natale, Legislative Assistant, read the communication. Council Member Halas moved to receive the communication and approve the issuance of the purchase orders in the current fiscal year, seconded by Council Member Nagarsheth. Discussion followed concerning the five (5) year warranty, funding from the ambulance budget and the fund balance. Motion passed by unanimous vote. 11 – COMMUNICATION - Amendments to Code of Ordinances, Section 21-44 Council Member Teicholz moved to refer to an Ad Hoc with Superintendent of Public Utilities and Corporation Counsel. Mayor Boughton so ordered and appointed Council Members Teicholz, Haddad and Rotello to the committee. 12 – COMMUNICATION - Request for Sewer and Water – 50 Shelter Rock Lane Council Member Stanley moved to refer to Planning and Engineering for reports. Mayor Boughton so ordered. 13 – COMMUNICATION - Request for Sewer – 55 Newtown Road Council Member Haddad moved to refer to Planning and Engineering for reports. Mayor Boughton so ordered. 14 – COMMUNICATION - Request for Sewer – 10 Hawley Road aka 32 Hawley Road Council Member Stanley moved to refer to Planning and Engineering for reports. Mayor Boughton so ordered. 15 – COMMUNICATION - Right to Drain Easement – 66 James Street Council Member Levy moved to refer to Corporation Counsel, Director of Public Works and Planning for reports. Mayor Boughton so ordered. 16 – RESOLUTION - FEMA Performance Grant (EMPG) The communication and Resolution were received on the Consent Calendar and the Resolution adopted. 3 17 – RESOLUTION - FEMA Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan The communication and Resolution were received on the Consent Calendar and the Resolution adopted. 18 – RESOLUTION - FAA Grant – Hazard Beacons and Rotating Beacon The communication and Resolution were received on the Consent Calendar and the Resolution adopted. 19 – RESOLUTION - Extension of Property Tax Phase-In Legislative Assistant, Jean Natale read the communication. Council Member Cavo moved to receive the communication and adopt the Resolution to secure a reasonable , rational and fair tax rate and assessment for residential property owners in a way that is consistent with the law and with sensible economic policy and need at this time, seconded by Council Member Nagarsheth. Discussion followed concerning the effects to tax base. Motion passed by unanimous vote. 20 – RESOLUTION - Maturity Works No-Cost Senior Work Program Council Member Knapp moved to refer to an Ad Hoc with Corporation Counsel, Director of Health and the Director of Human Resources. Mayor Boughton so ordered and named Council Members Taylor, Curran and Nero to the committee. 21 – REPORT - Request for Acceptance of City Road and Drainage- 62 Chestnut Street The report was received on the Consent Calendar and the petition approved. 22 – AD HOC REPORT - Audit Committee The report was received ion the Consent Calendar and the recommendations of the Audit Committee adopted. 23 – AD HOC REPORT - Governmental Entities The report was received on the Consent Calendar and the recommendations of the Government Entities Committee adopted. 24– AD HOC REPORT - 2020 Task Force Council Member Cavo moved to waive the reading of the report as all members have copies and additional copies are on file in the Office of the Legislative Assistant, seconded by Council Member Saadi. There were no objections. Council Member Teicholz moved to adopt the Resolution authorizing funding for the feasibility study not to exceed $100,000, seconded by Council Member Rotello. Discussion followed concerning funding, which would be coming from the Contingency Fund. Mayor Boughton and Council Member Cavo extended their thanks and appreciation to Antonio Iadarola, P.E., Director of Public Works, and his staff for saving the City significant dollars on this project. Motion passed by unanimous vote. 25 – AD HOC REPORT - Purchase 13 Acres – Old Ridgebury Road Council Member Saadi moved to receive the report and refer the item to a Public Hearing, seconded by Council Member Visconti. Potential revenue was discussed. Motion passed by unanimous vote. 26 – AD HOC REPORT - Danbury Railroad Museum – License & Renewal The report was received on the Consent Calendar and the recommendations of the Danbury Railway Museum-Lease and License Renewal Committee adopted. 4 27 – 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 reports as all members have copies and additional copies are on file in the Office of the Legislative Assistant, seconded by Council Member Perkins. Airport Director, Paul Estefan advised that a new LED beacon light is on order and should be delivered on March 7, 2012. The tower has been inspected, deemed safe and pilots have been notified about the un-lit condition. David Day, P.E., Superintendent of Public Utilities, stated that there are approximately 5% hydrants out of service. Mayor Boughton appointed Council Members Stanley, Seabury, Scozzafava, Haddad and Visconti to the Education Budget Committee. Mayor Boughton made the following Ad Hoc replacements: #15 Tax Abatement for Surviving spouses of Police Officers and Firefighters - December 2010 – Council Member Haddad appointed to replace former Council Member Deep-Damici. #3 Building Department Fees - October 2010 - Council Member Seabury appointed to replace Trombetta, #6 Fire Department - Collection of Fees - January 2009- Council Members Curran and Wetmore appointed to replace Trombetta and Deep-Damici. Mayor Boughton extended all committees. Council Member Cavo spoke to the resignation of Charles Trombetta. He thanked former member Trombetta for his 8 years of service and diligent work and stated that he would be missed. There being no further business to come before the Council a motion was made at 8:45pm by Council Member Saadi, seconded by Council Member Seabury. Motion passed by unanimous vote to adjourn. Respectfully submitted, Dorathea A. Gulya-Stasny Recording Secretary Attest: Mark D. Boughton, Mayor 5