City Council

CITY COUNCIL MEETING July 3, 2012 Mayor Mark D. Boughton called the City Council Meeting to order at 7:30pm on Tuesday, July 3, 2012 in the Council Chambers at City Hall. Present were Council members: Philip Curran, Jack Knapp, Warren Levy, Don Taylor, Shay Nagarsheth, Stephen Darcy, Joseph Cavo, Thomas Saadi, Fred Visconti, Andrew Wetmore, Peter Nero, Duane Perkins, Benjamin Chianese, Paul Rotello, Mary Teicholz PRESENT: 15 ABSENT : 6 Council members Stanley and Halas were attending family events, council member Haddad was on a business related trip, council member Seabury was out of state, council member Colla was working and council member Scozzafava was sick. 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: Council member Levy led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance. Council member Wetmore led everyone in the room in a prayer. PUBLIC SPEAKING Lynn Taborsak, 110 Hayestown Rd., spoke on Department Reports- Dream Homes. Brice Pickel, 55 State St., spoke on Department Reports, Dream Homes. Mark Regan, 41 New St., spoke on Department Reports- Dream Homes. Lynn Waller, 83 Highland Ave., spoke on item #4 and Department Reports- Dream Homes. Ken Gucker, 89 Padanaram Rd., Spoke on items 4, 5, 6, 18 and 20. Eileen Mitchell, 19 Mountainville Ave., spoke on items that were not on the agenda. Frank Anders, 9 Terre Glen, spoke on item #18. Public speaking ended at 8:00pm. Mayor Boughton read the announcements for the month. MINUTES - Minutes of the Council Meeting held on June 5, 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. 2 - Receive the Communication and confirm the appointment of Carol Gerner (R) and Laura Switzer (R) as alternate members to the Commission on Aging with a term to expire October 1, 2015. 8 – Receive the Communication and adopt the Resolution reaffirming nondiscrimination agreements and warranties as required by Connecticut General Statutes Sections 4a-60(a)(1) and 41-60a(a)(1). 1 9 - Receive the Communication and adopt the Resolution to apply for and accept funding through the LOCIP Program for Fire Department Engine Company 24 building renovations not to exceed $17,000.00 10 - Receive the Communication and adopt the Resolution allowing the City of Danbury Health and Human Services Department to accept increased funding from the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health. The grant award is for a “Skin Cancer Prevention “program administered through the School-Based Health Centers at Rogers Park and Broadview Middle Schools. Total Funding is $23,490.00 with no City match required. 11 - Receive the Communication and adopt the Resolution allowing the City of Danbury Health and Human Services Department to accept funding from the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health. This allocation of $95,646.08 will be used to promote programs within the Health and Human Services Department. There is no local match required. 12 - Receive the Communication and adopt the Resolution allowing the City of Danbury to approve and submit the City’s Annual Action Plan for Program Year 38 projects, and a section 108 Loan Guarantee application for infrastructure improvements. Available funding totals $534,449. No local match is required. 13 - Receive the Communication and adopt the Resolution allowing the City of Danbury Fire Department to apply for and accept funding from the US Department of Homeland Security through the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The requested funding through the “Assistance to Firefighters Grants” will not exceed $500,000.00. If awarded, FEMA will fund 80% ($400,000.00) of the total grant award and the City is responsible for funding 20% ($100,000.00) over a two-year period. 14 - Receive the Communication and adopt the Resolution allowing the City of Danbury Health and Human Services Department to accept the amended funding from the State of Connecticut, Department of Social Services. Contract No: 034-ESS-23/ 10DSS3701GT is now $200,623.00 The monies returned to DSS are approximately $29,852.00 This refund was due to the State denying several requests for improvements to the Emergency Shelter. 15 - Receive the Communication and adopt the Resolution allowing the City of Danbury to enter into an agreement with the State of Connecticut Department of Emergency Services to serve as the Custodian of a Mobile Communications Vehicle as described in the Memorandum from Deputy Commissioner William P. Shea. 17 – Receive the Reports from the Planning Commission, City Engineer and Corporation Counsel and approve the Sidewalk Easement – Plumtrees Plaza LLC, Plumtrees Road. 18 – Receive the Report of the Ad Hoc Committee and refer Code of Ordinance 10-99 to 10- 106 and 12-34 to a Public Hearing. 19 – Receive the Report of the Ad Hoc Committee, Old Oak – Side Walk Easement and approve the license Agreement as presented in accordance with the required permits, stipulations, and recommendations of the City Department Heads. Any execution is subject to the satisfaction in content or form of the Corporation Counsel. 1 – COMMUNICATION – Appointments to the Police Department Jean Natale, Legislative Assistant, read the communication. Council member Saadi moved to receive the communication and approve the appointment of Thomas Geanuracos 2 to the position of Police Officer for the City of Danbury, seconded by council member Wetmore. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Jean Natale read the communication. Council member Visconti moved to accept the communication and approve the appointment of Anthony Ramos to the position of Police Officer for the City of Danbury, seconded by council member Perkins Motion passed by unanimous vote. 2 – COMMUNICATION – Appointments to the Commission on Aging The communication was received on the Consent Calendar and the appointments of Carol Gerner and Laura Switzer confirmed. 3 – COMMUNICATION – Use of City Property (Withdrawn) 4 – COMMUNICATION – Sale of Land - Rockwood Lane Council member Wetmore requested referral to an Ad Hoc with Corporation Counsel, Director of Finance, Director of Planning and Tax Assessor. Mayor Boughton so ordered and appointed council members Taylor, Haddad and Rotella to the committee. 5 – COMMUNICATION – Entertainment License Ordinance Code of Ordinance- Section 11-6 and 12-34 Council member Teicholz requested referral to a Public Hearing. 6 – COMMUNICATION – Downtown Incentive Package Code of Ordinance – Section 11-2, 6-02, 11-7, 17-7 Council member Darcy requested referral to an Ad Hoc with Corporation Counsel, a representative from CityCenter, Director of Economic Development and a representative from the Office of the Mayor, Director of Finance and Director of Planning. Mayor Boughton so ordered and appointed council members Darcy, Cavo and Nero to the committee. 7 – COMMUNICATION – Danbury Aviation Lease Council member Levy requested referral to an Ad Hoc with the Corporation Counsel, Director of Finance and the Airport Administrator and a report from Planning. Mayor Boughton so ordered and appointed council members Knapp, Scozzafava and Rotella to the committee. 8 – RESOLUTION – Non-Discrimination Agreements and Warranties The communication and Resolution were received on the Consent Calendar and the Resolution adopted. 9 – RESOLUTION – LOCIP 2012 Applications The communication and Resolution were received on the Consent Calendar and the Resolution adopted. 10 – RESOLUTION - Preventative Health Block Grant The communication and Resolution were received on the Consent Calendar and the Resolution adopted. 11 – RESOLUTION – Per Capita Grant 2012-2013 The communication and Resolution were received on the Consent Calendar and the Resolution adopted. 12 – RESOLUTION - Community Development Block Grant Program – Year 38 3 The communication and Resolution were received on the Consent Calendar and the Resolution adopted. 13 – RESOLUTION - 2012 FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant The communication and Resolution were received on the Consent Calendar and the Resolution adopted. 14 – RESOLUTION – Amendment to DSS Grant The communication and Resolution were received on the Consent Calendar and the Resolution adopted. 15 – RESOLUTION - Mobile Communication Vehicles The communication and Resolution were received on the Consent Calendar and the Resolution adopted. 16 – RESOLUTION – Proposed Intersection and Safety Improvements Newtown Road- City Project 11-24 Jean Natale, Legislative Assistant, read the communication. Council member Cavo moved to receive the communication and adopt the resolution with regards to intersection and safety improvements at SR 806 Newtown Road at Old Newtown Road, Eagle Road and Industrial Plaza Road City Program 11-24, and authorize Mayor Mark D. Boughton to sign and execute documents as required in relation to this property ., seconded by Council member Taylor. Motion passed by unanimous vote. 17 – REPORTS - Sidewalk Easement - Plumtrees Plaza The reports were received on the Consent Calendar and the sidewalk easement – Plumtrees Plaza LLC, Plumtrees Road approved. 18 – AD HOC REPORTS – Prevention of Housing Blight- Code of Ordinance 10-99 to 106 and 12-34 The reports were received on the Consent Calendar and referred to a Public Hearing. 19 – AD HOC REPORT – Sidewalk Easement – Old Oak The report was received on the Consent Calendar and approved subject to the required permits, stipulations, recommendations of the City Department Heads and satisfaction of the Corporation Counsel. 20 – AD HOC – Deferral of Assessment - Belimo Air Controls 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 Saadi. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Council member Knapp moved to receive the report of the Ad Hoc Committee and adopt the Resolution to defer an increase in tax assessment to Belimo Air Controls on improvement to real property at 33 Turner Road, Danbury, CT, pursuant to the provisions of law and agreement, seconded by council member Visconti. Upon the request of Council member Rotello, Atty. Pinter clarified that the agreement has been crafted to insure that the commitments made regarding maintaining use and design criteria are kept. Council member Cavo thanked Bruce Tuomala, Director of Economic Development, Way Shepard, Chief of Staff and Mayor Boughton for their work on this endeavor and stated that he is grateful that Belimo Air Controls chose to stay in Danbury. Motion passed by unanimous vote. 4 21 – DEPARTMENT REPORTS – Police, Fire, State of Condition (Fire Department), Health- Housing & Welfare, Dream Homes, Public Works, Permit, UNIT, Elderly Services, 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. Council member Visconti thanked Shawn Stillman from the UNIT for his prompt assistance with a constituent complaint. Council member Curran acknowledged the Public Works Department for the work performed at Middle River Bridge. Council member Levy asked Mayor Boughton to expand on the work that the City is doing for the homeless. Mayor Boughton gave a brief overview of the accomplishment to date to alleviate some of the homeless challenges. He explained that servicing the homeless is a difficult, regional issue. Some permanent and transitional housing has been made available in Danbury. Since a number of the homeless come to Danbury from other regional towns, it would be helpful if other municipalities would establish some supportive housing to ease the effect on Danbury. There are 5 years to go in the plan and with an increase in homelessness, it will continue to present significant challenges. Council member Wetmore acknowledged the Public Works Department for their efforts to increase parking at Hatters Park and the Recreation Department for the summer movie nights. Upon the request of council member Rotello, Chief Baker explained that burglaries are down due to increased public awareness. Council members Perkins and Visconti spoke about complaints regarding the noise created by trucks backing up at the fields in Rogers Park. Antonio Iadarola, P.E., Director of Public Works, advised that he would look into the scheduling utilized by the divisions to get the fields prepared for the day’s activities. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Mayor Boughton extended al committees. There being no further business to come before the Council a motion was made at 8:50pm by council member Taylor, seconded by council member Nagarsheth to adjourn. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Respectfully submitted, Dorathea A. Gulya-Stasny Recording Secretary Attest: Mark D. Boughton, Mayor 5