City Council

City Council Meeting June 4, 2013 Mayor Mark D. Boughton called the City Council Meeting to order at 7:30PM on June 4, 2013 in the Council Chambers at City Hall. Present were Council Members: Philip Curran, Jack Knapp, Warren Levy, Gregg Seabury, Colleen Stanley, Shay Nagarsheth, Phil Colla, Joseph Cavo, Thomas Saadi, Fred Visconti, Andrew Wetmore, Peter Nero, Duane Perkins, Benjamin Chianese, Paul Rotello, Joseph Scozzafava and Mary Teicholz PRESENT: 17 ABSENT : 4 Council Members Haddad and Palma were out of town on business, Council Member Taylor was not feeling well and Council Member Halas was at a family event. Council Member Saadi entered the meeting at 7:46PM. 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 Richard Antous, from the U.N.I.T., led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance. Council Member Curran led everyone in a prayer. PUBLIC SPEAKING Lynn Waller, 83 Highland Avenue, spoke on item #4, rental fee. Mayor Boughton read the announcements for the month. MINUTES - Minutes of the Council Meeting held on May 7, 2013 Council Member Cavo moved to waive the reading of the minutes of the May 7, 2013 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. 3 - Receive the Communication from the Assistant Director of Finance, Dan Garrick, and approve the appropriation of $83,800.00 to the Ambulance Fund for additional costs related to vehicle use and maintenance, as well as upgrades to mobile data terminals and related emergency medical software. 4 – Receive the Communication and approve the proposed Residential Lease for the Chow House at Farrington Woods, as requested by the Superintendent of Public Buildings, Richard Palanzo. 7 – Receive the Communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing Mayor Mark D. Boughton to apply for and accept funding from the State of Connecticut Department of Education for the City of Danbury Youth Services operations. This funding, not to exceed $70,000.00 per year for the two year contract starting July 1, 2013 ending June 30, 2015. 8 - Receive the Communication and adopt the Resolution that will allow the City of Danbury Department of Health and Human Services to accept funding from the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health. The allocation, in the amount of $96,371.78 is for the period from July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2014 and will be used to promote programs within the department. No local match is required. 9 - Receive the Communication and adopt the Resolution that will allow the City of Danbury Department of Health and Human Services to accept an amendment to the City emergency shelter funds from the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health. The current funding of October 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013 will be increased from $90,277.00 to $90,860.00 and will be extended 1 year to June 30, 2014 as allocations become available from the State. 10 - Receive the Communication and adopt the Resolution that will allow the City of Danbury Department of Health and Human Services to accept additional funding from the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health for the existing “Preventative Health Block” Skin Cancer Awareness Contract. The increase in the funding totaling $4,208.00 expires June 30, 2014. No local match is required. 11 - Receive the Communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing Mayor Mark D. Boughton or his designee to execute an agreement for the conduct of a test pit and related work at Route 37 and Stacey Rd pursuant to said agreement with the State of Connecticut Department of Transportation. The total reimbursable test pit cost is estimated at $89,655.48. 12 – Receive the Communication from the Ad Hoc Committee and Adopt the Resolution authorizing Mayor Mark D. Boughton to sign the Charter of Compassion as recommended by the committee. 13 – Receive the Report and recommendation of the Ad Hoc Committee to ratify and renew the proposed contract for Ambulance and Advanced Support Services between The City of Danbury and the Western Connecticut Health Network from July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2018 with an option to renew for 5 years commencing July 1, 2018 should both parties agree. Council Member Knapp moved to accept the Consent Calendar as presented, seconded by Council Member Wetmore. Motion passed by unanimous vote. 1 - COMMUNICATION - Downtown Liquor Stores The communication was read by Jean Natale, Legislative Assistant. Council Member Nagarsheth requested referral to an Ad Hoc with the Mayor, U.N.I.T. Coordinator, Corporation Counsel, City Center Chair and Director of Planning. Mayor Boughton so ordered and appointed Council Members Knapp, Tiecholz and Perkins to the committee. 2 - COMMUNICATION - Self Insurance Reserve The communication was read by Jean Natale, Legislative Assistant. Council Member Knapp moved to receive the communication and adopt the proposal for Mayor Boughton to establish a “Self Insurance-Reserve” for both the Board of Education and City Employees Health Insurance Program, totaling $2,200,000 or 7%, to be used to cover the anticipated claims margin, seconded by Council Member Nagarsheth. Upon the request of council member Visconti, Dan Garrick, Asst. Director of Finance was called upon to give an overview of the proposal. Mr. Garrick explained that the proposal is a step towards a change in the funding method towards self insurance for the Board of Education and the City. It does not change any of the plans in effect at the present time, it merely changes the funding method. The City would be taking on the liability of the claims and would no longer pay a premium, but CIGNA would be paid to administer the claims. The request is to open a reserve account in the amount of $2,200,000 which is approximately 7% of current claims. An aggregate stop loss would be purchased to cover claims over the anticipated amount. Any funds left over would be added to the reserve fund. The reserve account would need to increase over the next few years until reaches $7,000,000 to be at 25% of claims. There would be no benefit changes for union employees and retirees. Council Member Rotello requested clarification on building the fund. Mr. Garrick stated that the fund would need to be built up to $7,000,000. Council Member Rotello spoke in favor of the proposal to put forth savings to the taxpayers. Upon the request of Council Member Chianese Mr. Garrick explained that a line item for the account would be established and the goal is to place $2,200,000 in the line item. Mayor Boughton explained that if there is a surplus at the end of the year, the remaining funds would be transferred into the reserve account. The proposal is intended to minimize risk of facing the large premiums that have been experienced in recent years and are unsustainable. Wellness and safety programs would be provided to minimize injuries and claims. Upon the request of Council Member Perkins, Mr. Garrick explained that an outside consultant was hired, quotes obtained and claims were reviewed within HIPPA limits and the plan negotiated. Council Member Levy asked for clarification. The City would be paying a carrier to administer the plan, which currently costs 20% and would be reduced to approximately 10%. 3 - COMMUNICATION - Appropriation to the Ambulance Fund The communication was received on the Consent Calendar and approve the appropriation of $83,800.00 to the Ambulance Fund. 4 - COMMUNICATION - Chow House at Farrington Woods - Lease The communication was received on the Consent Calendar and the proposed Residential Lease for the Chow House at Farrington Woods approved. 5 - COMMUNICATION - Donation to Still River Alliance The Legislative Assistant, Jean Natale, read the communication. Council Member Wetmore moved to accept the generous donation and send a letter of thanks, seconded by Council Member Rotello. Upon the request of Council Member Visconti, Scott LeRoy, Director of Health, explained that the location of the work, which is in the area of Kimchuck, would be cleaned to relieve flooding issues. Motion passed by unanimous vote. 6 - COMMUNICATION - Naming of Armed Forces Reserve Center Jean Natale, Legislative Assistant read the communication. Council Member Seabury moved to accept the presented Resolution supporting the naming of the still being constructed armed forces service center in Danbury as the Veterans Memorial Armed Forces Reserve Center, seconded by Council Member Saadi. Council Member Saadi thanked Council President Cavo for his support for the Resolution, The Army will be the ultimate decision maker, but the recommendation would be considered. This name honors all veterans from all conflicts and is an excellent and appropriate name. Council President Cavo thanked Council Member Saadi, Mayor Boughton and the leadership of the council for putting forth the naming for the Veterans Memorial Reserve Center. Motion passed by unanimous vote. 7 - RESOLUTION - Danbury Youth Services The communication was received on the Consent Calendar and the Resolution authorizing Mayor Boughton to apply for and accept funding from the State of Connecticut Department of Education adopted. 8 - RESOLUTION - Per Capita FY 2014 Grant Allocation The communication was received on the Consent Calendar and the Resolution to allow the City of Danbury Department of Health and Human Services to accept funding from the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health adopted. 9 - RESOLUTION - DSS Shelter Funding The communication was received on the Consent Calendar and the Resolution to allow the City of Danbury Department of Health and Human Services to accept the amendment to the City emergency shelter funds from the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health adopted. 10 - RESOLUTION - PHBG Contract Increase - Health The communication was received on the Consent Calendar and the Resolution to allow the City of Danbury Department of Health and Human Services to accept the additional funding from the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health adopted. 11 - RESOLUTION - Route 37 and Stacey Road Improvements DOT Test Pit/ Preliminary Engineering Agreement The communication was received on the Consent Calendar and the Resolution authorizing Mayor Boughton or his designee to execute an agreement for the conduct of a test pit and related work at Route 37 and Stacey Road adopted. 12 - AD HOC REPORT - City of Compassion The communication was received on the Consent Calendar and the Resolution authorizing Mayor Boughton to sign the Charter of Compassion adopted. 13 - AD HOC REPORT - Ambulance Contract The report was received on the Consent Calendar the Resolution to ratify and renew the proposed contract for Ambulance and Advanced Support Services between the City of Danbury and the Western Connecticut Health Network adopted. 14 - DEPARTMENT REPORTS - Police, Fire, Health-Housing & Welfare, Dream Homes, Public Works, Permit Center, UNIT, Elderly 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 Nagarsheth. Mayor Boughton acknowledged and thanked Chief Baker, Chief Herald and the Public Works Department for the work related to the event concerning a bear in the downtown area. 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 8:15 pm by Council Member Wetmore, seconded by Council Member Nero to adjourn. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Respectfully submitted, Dorathea A. Gulya-Stasny Recording Secretary Attest: Mark D. Boughton, Mayor