City Council

CITY COUNCIL MEETING June 5, 2012 Mayor Mark D. Boughton called the City Council Meeting to order at 7:30pm on Tuesday, June 5, 2012 in the Council Chambers at City Hall. Present were Council Members: Philip Curran, Michael Haddad, Jack Knapp, Warren Levy, Gregg Seabury, Colleen Stanley, Don Taylor, Phil Colla, Michael Halas, Shay Nagarsheth, Stephen Darcy, Joseph Cavo, Thomas Saadi, Fred Visconti, Andrew Wetmore, Peter Nero, Duane Perkins, Benjamin Chianese, Paul Rotello, Joe Scozzafava and Mary Teicholz PRESENT: 21 ABSENT : 0 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: Jessica Cote led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance. Council Member Curran led everyone in the room in a prayer. PUBLIC SPEAKING Lynn Waller, 83 Highland Avenue spoke on item 1, 15, 20 and 21. Charles Setaro, 27 Deer Hill Avenue, spoke on Department Reports. Ken Gucker, 89 Padanaram Road, spoke on items 20 and 21. Public speaking ended at 7:49pm. Mayor Boughton read the announcements for the month. MINUTES - Minutes of the Council Meeting held on May 1, 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 Nagarsheth. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Council Member Seabury read the Consent Calendar. 1 - Receive the Communication and confirm the appointment of Daniel Rosemark (D) to fill a vacancy on the Candlewood Lake Authority with a term to expire April 1, 2015. 2 – Receive the communication and approve the request for an additional appropriation of $50,000.00 to line item 50000.5338 to the Ambulance Fund Budget. 4 – Receive the communication and approve the request to allow the Tax Collectors office the transfer of $312,278.21 to the Suspense List. 6 – Receive the communication and approve the sidewalk easement for Berkshire Shopping Center, LLC-Staples subject to Planning Commission approval and the conditions recommended by Corporation Counsel. 8 – Receive the communication and approve the change of the First Ward Polling Place for the August 14th Primary to King Street School as requested by both Registrars of Voters. 9 – Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution that will allow the City of Danbury Department of Health and Human Services to accept scholarship funding from the Connecticut Association of School-Based Health Centers which will enable the School Based Health Center 1 Clinic Administrator to travel to Albuquerque, New Mexico to participate in the 2012 NASBHC Convention to be held June 25-27th, 2012. 12 - Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution that will allow the City of Danbury Police Department to accept funding from the State of Connecticut Office of Policy Management. This Funding, not to exceed $40,000.00 will be used to support violent crime prevention and intervention activities and/or to enhance information and communication systems at the Danbury Police Department. 13 - Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution that will allow the City of Danbury Department of Health and Human Services to enter into an agreement, and receive funding totaling $1,090.50 from the State Department of Agriculture. These funds are for supplemental staffing of the WIC program as the staff issues Farmers Market checks to eligible participants. 14 - Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution that will allow the City of Danbury to apply for and accept funding from the US Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance. This Funding, not to exceed $15,070.00 will be used to purchase equipment, supplies and other costs as deemed necessary to assist the Danbury Police Department in its efforts to increase law enforcement and police services within the community. 16 – Receive the communication and take no action on the Sanitary Sewer Extension, Broad Street Area – project # 05-22. 17 – Receive the Reports from the Planning Commission and the City Engineer and approve the request for Water Extension for 2A Arch Street (#H12050) pending approval of all plans and cuments acceptable in form and content to the City Engineer and Corporation Counsel. 18 – Receive the Ad Hoc Committee Report and adopt the recommendations. Council Member Knapp moved to accept the Consent Calendar as presented, seconded by Council Member Perkins. Motion passed by unanimous vote. 1 – COMMUNICATION - Appointment to the Candlewood Lake Authority The communication was received on the Consent Calendar and the appointment of Daniel Rosemark confirmed. 2 - COMMUNICATION - Appropriation to the Ambulance Fund The communication was received on the Consent Calendar and the request for an additional appropriation approved. 3 – COMMUNICATION - Establishing BOE (Balance Sheet) Reserve Accounts Jean Natale, Legislative Assistant, read the communication. Council Member Cavo moved to receive the communication and authorize establishment of both Balance Sheet Reserve Accounts relating to the BOE, seconded by Council Member Nagarsheth. David St. Hilaire, Director of Finance explained that the BOE Supplementary Budget Allocation would be a one time account established from accumulated Continuing Education funds. The BOE Capital Reserve Account would be from year to year and would be used for capital items focusing on the BOE. The BOE would be required to make a request for funds, should they be available, and would require approval by the City Council. The funds may not be used for operational costs. Motion passed by unanimous vote. 4 – COMMUNICATION - Annual Suspense List The communication was received on the Consent Calendar and the request approved. 5 – COMMUNICATION - Request for Sidewalk Easement/License for Patio Old Oak Restaurant Council Member Taylor requested referral to an Ad Hoc with Corporation Counsel, Director of Planning and Director of Public Works. Mayor Boughton so ordered and appointed Council 2 Members Wetmore, Levy and Perkins to the committee. 6 – COMMUNICATION - Sidewalk Easement - Berkshire Shopping Center, LLC – Staples The communication was received on the Consent Calendar and the sidewalk easement approved subject to conditions. 7 – COMMUNICATION - Sidewalk Easement - Plumtrees Plaza Council Member Nagarsheth requested referral to Corporation Counsel, City Engineer and Planning for reports. Mayor Boughton so ordered. 8 – COMMUNICATION - Relocation of Polling Place – August 14, 2012 Primary The communication was received on the Consent Calendar and the polling change request approved. 9 – RESOLUTION - Permission to Accept Scholarship Funds to Attend Convention The communication and Resolution were received on the Consent Calendar and the Resolution adopted. 10 – RESOLUTION - Summer Youth Employment Program Jean Natale, Legislative Assistant, read the communication. Council Member Taylor moved to receive the communication, adopt the Resolution and receive the funding in the amounts of approximately $35,125 for PAL and approximately $62,775 for DYS with the condition that the item is opened for discussion, seconded by Council Member Visconti. Council Member Taylor opened discussion stating that the receiving agencies be held accountable for teaching the youth a strong work ethic and asked for the agencies to show that the funds were used to maximum potential. Wayne Shepperd gave a brief overview of the proposed program for the current year. Council Member Stanley would like students to attend a council meeting to speak on their experience with the program. Motion passed by unanimous vote. 11 – RESOLUTION - Refunding of General Obligation Bonds Jean Natale, Legislative Assistant, read the communication. Council Member Colla moved to receive the communication and adopt the Resolution to authorize the Director of Finance to move forward with the refunding when a savings opportunity is presented, seconded by Council Member Nagarsheth. Motion passed by unanimous vote. 12 – RESOLUTION - 2012 Violence Reduction Grant – Police Department The communication and Resolution were received on the Consent Calendar and the Resolution adopted. 13 - RESOLUTION - WIC Grant – Farmers Market Program The communication and Resolution were received on the Consent Calendar and the Resolution adopted. 14 – RESOLUTION - 2012 Byrne JAG Program – Police Department The communication and Resolution were received on the Consent Calendar and the Resolution adopted. 15 - RESOLUTION - LOCIP 2012 Applications Jean Natale, Legislative Assistant, read the communication. Council Member Knapp moved to receive the communication and adopt the resolutions to make application to the State of Connecticut to fund the Tarrywile Mansion roof replacement/repair, alarm system replacement and school building renovation, seconded by Council Member Taylor. Upon the request of council member Saadi, it was clarified that the intent of the renovation of the school was to convert the building into a residential rental opportunity. Motion passed by unanimous vote. 3 16 – REPORT - Sanitary Sewer Extension – Broad Street Area The report was received on the Consent Calendar and no action was taken. 17 – REPORTS - Request for Water Extension – 2 Arch Street The reports were received on the Consent Calendar and the request approved subject to conditions. 18 - AD HOC REPORT - Sewer and Water Service – Candlewood Park The report was received on the Consent Calendar and the recommendations adopted. 19 – AD HOC REPORT - Investment Policy Statement Council member Levy read the committee report. Council Member Seabury moved to receive and adopt the recommendation of the committee, seconded by Council Member Nagarsheth. Motion passed by unanimous vote. 20 - AD HOC REPORT - Prevention of Housing Blight Council Member Cavo moved for recommittal. As there was no objection, Mayor Boughton as ordered. 21– AD HOC REPORT - Surplus Property Sale – WIC Council Member Levy moved to refer item to a Public Hearing followed by a Committee of the Whole. Mayor Boughton so ordered. 22 – DEPARTMENT REPORTS – Police, Fire, Health-Housing & Welfare, Dream Homes, Public Works, Permit Center, UNIT. Elderly, Library Council Member Cavo moved to waive the reading of the Department Reports 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. Upon the request of Council Member Cavo, Chief Baker reported that investigations are ongoing regarding the number of thefts in the Danbury area. He urged everyone to lock doors and windows and to be more aware of their surroundings. Council Member Taylor thanked the Construction Services Division and Public Works for the Germantown Road intersection improvements. Council Member Cavo thanked Shawn Still from the UNIT for his assistance with an issue in his ward. Upon the request of Council Member Curran, Atty. Pinter advised that the Kennedy Avenue tree cutting issue is in litigation. Council Member Levy recognized and thanked the Forestry Division, Danbury Garden Club and the Lions Club for the recent tree plantings. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Council Member Cavo moved to add item #23,Investigtion of Expansion Renovation and/or Improvement of Existing Schools to Accommodate Current and Future Overcrowding in the formation of a committee to investigate the matter, seconded by Council Member Saadi. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Council Member Cavo moved to receive the communication and adopt the Resolution to authorize the BOE of the City of Danbury through the superintendent of schools to file a grant application to the State Department of Education through Construction Services and the establishment of a school building committee with the names of the members 4 read by the Legislative Assistant, seconded by Council Member Wetmore. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Mayor Boughton extended all committees. There being no further business to come before the Council a motion was made at 8:59pm by Council Member Taylor to adjourn, seconded by Council Member Perkins. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Respectfully submitted, Dorathea A. Gulya-Stasny Recording Secretary Attest: Mark D. Boughton, Mayor 5