City Council

CITY COUNCIL February 05, 2013 Honorable Mayor, Mark D. Boughton, called the meeting to order at 7:33 pm in the Council Chambers. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE & PRAYER Mr. Sean Hatch led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance. Council Member Wetmore led everyone in the room in a prayer. ROLL CALL Council Members Present: Philip Curran, Jack Knapp, Warren Levy, Gregg Seabury, Colleen Stanley, Donald Taylor, Shay Nagarsheth, Joseph Cavo, Andrew Wetmore, Peter Nero, Thomas Saadi, Duane Perkins, Fred Visconti, Benjamin Chianese, Paul Rotello, Joseph Scozzafava, and Mary Teicholz. Council Members Absent: Michael Haddad Sr., Phillip Colla, and Mike Halas. Councilman Haddad was out of town on business. Councilman Colla was absent due to business. Councilman Halas is absent due to illness. Also Present: Jean Natale, Legislative Assistant; Robert Yamin, Corporation Council; Les Pinter, Deputy Corporation Council; David St. Hilaire, Director of Finance. PUBLIC SPEAKING No members of the public came forward to speak. ANNOUNCEMENTS  Mayor Boughton made announcements regarding events in Danbury during February.  Mayor Boughton welcomed local Troop 33 Boy Scouts who were attending the meeting as a requirement for a merit badge.  Mayor Boughton appointed members to the Education Budget Ad Hoc Committee Stanley, Seabury, Sozzafava, Haddad and Visconti.  Finally Mayor Boughton congratulated Mr. St. Hilaire on a successful audit. All members have a copy. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion was made by Joseph Cavo and seconded by Shay Nagarsheth to waive the reading and approve the minutes of the previous meeting as all members have copies and additional copies are on file in the Office of the Legislative Assistant. The motion carried unanimously. CONSENT CALENDAR Mr. Seabury read the consent calendar. 3 - Receive the Communication and approve the reappointment of Shaun J. McColgan and Kim Botehlo as members of the Conservation Commission with terms to expire July 1, 2016. 4 - Receive the Communication and approve the reappointment of Paul Kachevsky, Frank Reed, Chad Sinanian, Roberto Perez, Francis Ryan and John Gentile as members of the Commission on Persons with Disabilities with terms to expire March 1, 2016. 5 - Receive the Communication and approve the appointment of Anthony J. Rebeiro as an alternate Member on the Zoning Board of Appeals with a term to expire November 1, 2016. 6 - Receive the Communication and approve the appointment of Wendy Grispen as a Member of the Richter Park Authority with a term to expire February 1, 2016. 17 - Receive the Communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing Mayor Mark D. Boughton, or his designee, to apply for and accept funding from the State of Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection. This funding, not to exceed $40,528.00, covers the period 10/1/12 - 9/30/13 and will assist the municipalities Emergency Management activities. 20 - Receive the Report and approve the Sidewalk Easement as presented by DXR Holdings - Wallingford Rd. pending the necessary documentation from the petitioner acceptable in form and content as required by the Office of the Corporation Counsel. 21 - Receive the Report and approve the Easement - Rights to Drain at 14 Ironwood Drive subject to the receipt of finalized documentation from the petitioner acceptable inform and content as required by the Office of the Corporation Counsel. 22 - Receive the Report of the Ad Hoc Committee and approve in accordance with Section 2-184 of the Danbury Code of Ordinances, the reestablishment of the Stanley Lasker Richter Memorial Park Authority, The Conservation Commission, The Environmental Impact Commission, the Danbury Museum and Historical Society and the Danbury Main Street Partnership for five (5) years thru June 30, 2018 and the Youth Commission for 2 years through June 30, 2015. A motion was made by Jack Knapp and seconded by Duane E. Perkins to accept the consent calendar as presented. The motion carried unanimously. 1-COMMUNICATION - Fill Vacancy on City Council A motion was made by Colleen Stanley and seconded by Joseph Cavo to accept the DRTC recommendation to appoint Elmer Palma, 9 Apple Blossom Lane, to the vacancy on the City Council for the 2nd Ward. The motion carried unanimously. Corporation Counsel gave the oath to Mr. Palma who took his seat on the dais with the City Council members 2-COMMUNICATION - Appointment to the Police Department A motion was made by Mary Teicholz and seconded by Colleen Stanley to receive the communication and confirm the appointment of Jonathon Contreras to the position of Police Officer. The motion carried unanimously. 3-COMMUNICATION - Re-appointments to the Conservation Commission The communication was received on the Consent Calendar and approved. 4-COMMUNICATION - Re-appointments to the Commission on Persons with Disabilities The communication was received on the Consent Calendar and approved. 5-COMMUNICATION - Appointment of Alternate to the Zoning Board of Appeals The communication was received on the Consent Calendar and approved. 6-COMMUNICATION - Appointment to the Richter Park Authority The communication was received on the Consent Calendar and approved. 7-COMMUNICATION - Revenue Generation Task Force Development Mayor Boughton is forming a Task Force to review new revenue generating opportunities available to the city. Members of the task force will include Corporation Counsel, Finance and other members with contributing expertise. The membership will be made available as soon as appointments are made. A motion was made by Shay Nagarsheth and seconded by Colleen Stanley to received the communication and adopt the recommendation from the Mayor to develop a revenue generation task force. The motion carried unanimously. Councilman Levy asked the Mayor to give more information about specific ideas. Mayor discussed the purpose with more detail. Councilman Taylor wanted to clarify that increasing fees on residents is not something that he is in favor of. He also spoke about increasing health benefit costs and the portion of the city employees’ contribution. Councilman Saadi stated that he is assuming the task force would be the place where recommendations, comments and concerns can be addressed. He also asked for clarification on the formation and membership of task force. Mayor Boughton clarified the formation. 8-COMMUNICATION - City of Compassion Councilman Knapp requested referral to an Ad Hoc Committee to include Economic Development, and a representative from the Office of the Mayor. Mayor Boughton so ordered and appointed Council Members Wetmore, Curran, and Nero to the committee. 9-COMMUNICATION - Use of Public Grounds Ordinance Mr. Taylor requested referral to an Ad Hoc committee with representatives from the Mayor's office, Corporation Counsel, Director of Public Works, Director of Parks and Recreation, and the Chief of Police. Mayor Boughton so ordered and appointed Council Members Seabury, Halas, and Visconti. 10-COMMUNICATION - Request for Conservation Commission Ordinance Change Mr. Curran requested referral to an Ad Hoc committee with Corporation Counsel and the Chairman of the Conservation Commission. Mayor Boughton so ordered and appointed Council Members Curran, Haddad, and Chianese. 11-COMMUNICATION - Donation to the Fire Department A motion was made by Andrew Wetmore and seconded by Paul Rotello to receive the communication, accept the generous donation and send appropriate letters of thanks. The motion carried unanimously. There was a brief discussion regarding selection and additional costs. 12-COMMUNICATION - Donation to the Still River Greenway - Danbury Garden Club A motion was made by Joseph Cavo and seconded by Shay Nagarsheth to receive the communication and accept the generous donation of $4006.00 from the Danbury Garden Club to be used for the Still River Greenway and send an appropriate letter of thanks. The motion carried unanimously. 13-COMMUNICATION - Donation to the Still River Greenway - Branson Ultrasonics A motion was made by Gregg Seabury and seconded by Shay Nagarsheth to receive the communication and accept the generous donation and send appropriate letter of thanks. The motion carried unanimously. 14-COMMUNICATION - Danbury Emergency Plan A motion was made by Fred Visconti and seconded by Donald Taylor to accept the communication and approve the Danbury Emergency Plan submitted by the Registrar of Voters. Councilman Saadi asked for clarification about correcting certain scribner and technical errors after the plan was approved. Mr. Pinter stated that this is a draft plan which must be submitted to the Secretary of State, and was developed based on an outline from that office. Once approved by the Secretary of State it may come back before the City Council for final approval. A discussion ensued. The motion carried unanimously. 15-COMMUNICATION - Request for Extension of Water and Sewer Extension - 12 Clapboard Ridge Road Councilman Nagarsheth requested referral to City Planning and City Engineering for reports. Mayor Boughton so ordered. 16-RES0LUTION - Ratification of Cooperative Effort of Danbury Hospital FEMA Grant A motion was made by Warren Levy and seconded by Shay Nagarsheth to authorize Mayor Mark Boughton and/or his designee, Fire Chief Herald, to collaborate with Danbury Hospital in applying for a FEMA grant up to $1 million for the purposes of research and development into the health and safety of the firemen and to secure funding and do all things necessary to further the purpose. Councilman Rotello asked questions regarding the allocation among other communities and time out of service. Chief Herald confirmed that all tests and exercises would be done at the firehouse. In addition, some of the funds would be allocated to fitness equipment and a nutritionist at the firehouse. Further discussion occurred regarding the details of the program. The motion carried unanimously. 17-RES0LUTION - Emergency Management Grant The resolution was received on the Consent Calendar and approved. 18-RES0LUTION - Acquisition of Sewer Easement - DePalma Lane A motion was made by Gregg Seabury and seconded by Colleen Stanley to receive and adopt the resolution. Councilman Taylor wanted the record to reflect the reasons that this issue might result in eminent domain. Mr. Pinter stated that many attempts have been made to acquire the easement from the property owner, the property owners have not responded, and this is a last step. Councilman Taylor stated that the property owner is currently hooked up to the sewer and verbally agreed, but has not responded to further attempts to complete the easement. The motion carried unanimously. 19-RES0LUTION - Coalition of Phosphorous WITHDRAWN This item was withdrawn and will be placed on the March agenda. 20-REPORTS -Grant of Sidewalk Easement - Wallingford Road The report was received on the Consent Calendar and approved. 21-REPORTS -Easement - Rights to Drain - 14 Ironwood Drive The report was received on the Consent Calendar and approved. 22-AD HOC REPORT - Governmental Entities The report was received on the Consent Calendar and approved. President Cavo corrected an omission on the Consent Calendar that Item #22 will go to Public Hearing before approval. 23-AD HOC REPORT - Reapportionment A motion was made by Jack Knapp and seconded by Thomas J. Saadi to accept the report of the Ad Hoc Committee and adopt the reapportionment plan as presented. The motion carried unanimously. President Cavo discussed the process of reapportionment and thanked committee members for their participation and tenancy in doing the best to disturb the least. Councilman Saadi, on behalf of the minority caucus, thanked the committee for working across the aisle. He further stated that once voted on it will go to a Public Hearing and will be available for review. Councilman Seabury wanted to assure residents that if moved to a new ward they will receive notice from the Registrar of Voters. Councilman Visconti stated that this was a strong bipartisan effort and thanked everyone for they cooperation. 24-DEPARTMENT REPORTS - Police, Fire, Health-Housing & Welfare, Dream Homes, Public Works, Permit, Unit, Elderly Services, Library. A motion was made by Joseph M. Cavo and seconded by Shailesh (Shay) Nagarsheth to waive the reading of Department Reports as all members have copies and copies are on file in the office of the Legislative Assistant. The motion carried unanimously. Mayor Boughton thanked and congratulated Chief Baker who noted that crime was down for 2011 and 2012. 25- WIC Property A motion was made by Joseph Cavo and seconded by Thomas Saadi to take from the table the WIC Property item. The motion carried unanimously. A motion was then made by Joseph Cavo and seconded by Shay Nagarsheth to recommit the WIC Property from the December agenda back to its original Ad Hoc Committee. The motion carried unanimously. The Mayor reminded everyone that the original committee members were Knapp, Wetmore and Chianese Mayor Boughton extended all committees. A motion was made by Thomas Saadi and seconded by Joseph Cavo to adjourn. The motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:38 pm. Respectfully submitted, Shani Burke Specht Recording Secretary Attest, Mark D. Boughton, Mayor