City Council

CITY COUNCIL April 01, 2014 Honorable Mayor, Mark D. Boughton, called the meeting to order at 7:36 pm in the Council Chambers. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE & PRAYER Mrs. Alberts led all in the Pledge of Allegiance. Councilman DiGillio led all in prayer. ROLL CALL COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Philip Curran, Michael Haddad, Sr., Jack Knapp, Warren Levy, Gregg Seabury, Colleen Stanley, Andrew Wetmore, Irving Fox, John Priola, Vinny DiGilio, Joseph Cavo, Thomas Saadi, Fred Visconti, Elmer Palma, Christopher Arconti, Peter Nero, Duane Perkins, Benjamin Chianese, Paul Rotello, and Joseph Scozzafava. COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Marina Loyola. PRESENT: 20, ABSENT: 1 Councilwoman Loyola was absent due to illness. ALSO PRESENT: Robert Yamin, Corporation Counsel; Les Pinter, Deputy Corporation Counsel; David St. Hilaire, Director of Finance. PUBLIC SPEAKING • Lynn Waller, 83 Highland Ave, spoke on #23 with concerned regarding the lease amount, parking, and staff salaries. Additionally she expressed gratitude for the work on the budget. • Ken Gucker, 89 Padanaram Road, spoke in support of the Town Historian in Item #8. In addition, he commented on Beaver problems in the reservoirs. • Margaret Mitchell, Main and Park Street, thanked the City Council for hard work on Budget. She commended the UNIT. She stated that the storm drainage is still a problem, and would like to see money for a study of parking on the area of the Library. Finally she questioned if the City Council should hold Public Hearings based on the value of assets rather than the value of a lease. BUDGET ADDRESS Mayor presented the City of Danbury's proposed 2014-2015 budget to the City Council and the residents. ANNOUNCEMENTS Mayor Boughton made the announcements for the month of April MINUTES--Minutes of the Council Meeting held March 4, 2014 A motion was made by Joseph Cavo and seconded by Duane Perkins to waive the reading and accept the minutes as all members have copies and additional copies are available in the office of the Legislative Assistant. The motion carried unanimously. CONSENT CALENDAR Councilman Seabury read the consent calendar as follows: 9 – Receive the communication and confirm the appointments of the following individuals to the Danbury Still River Alliance Commission with terms to expire as stated ; Ed Siergiej exp 3/2017, Don Costello exp 3/2017, Lin Murray exp 3/2017, Harry Rosvally exp 3/2016, Marcia Wilkins exp 3/2016, Ellen Rosenberg exp 3/2016, Mike Smith exp 3/2015, Nick Kaplanis exp 3/2015. 11 - Receive the Communication and approve the Lease Agreement with the Danbury Music Center as presented. 13 – Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution allowing local non-profit agencies to apply for and accept funding through the Connecticut Neighborhood Assistance Act and refer this item to a Public Hearing as required by the State of Connecticut. 14 – Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution allowing the City of Danbury to participate in the Dial-A-Ride Transit Service Grant Program thus allowing the Housatonic Area Regional Transit to make application for this funding for fiscal year 2014-15. 15 – Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing the City of Danbury to apply for and accept funding from the LoCIP grant program totaling $6,000.00 to replace an overhead door at a City owned firehouse. 16 - Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing the City of Danbury Police Department to accept additional funding from the State of Connecticut, Department of Transportation. These funds totaling $24,500.00 will be used to aid the DPD in the identification and enforcement of operators who are texting while driving. The City’s match in this effort is 25% or $6,125.00.  17 - Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing the City of Danbury to execute a Temporary Right of Entry Agreement thus enabling the City to obtain temporary access to the Still River through its railroad right of way property on 18 Patriot Drive, Lot #s 113290 and 114268. 18 - Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing the City of Danbury to enter into a Region 5 Memorandum of Agreement to engage in regional cost sharing as offered through the State of Connecticut Homeland Security Grant Program. 19 – Receive the reports of the City Engineer and Corporation Counsel and authorize the Office of Corporation Counsel to finalize the Sidewalk Easement and a Maintenance to a Traffic Control Box Easement to the City at 59 Eagle Road and that proper documentation be filed with both departments. 20 – Receive the reports of the City Engineer and the Planning Commission and authorize the sidewalk easements at 42-46 Beaver Brook Rd subject to proper documentation to be filed with the Office of Corporation Counsel. 23 – Receive the report of the Ad hoc Committee and accept the Committee’s recommendation to adopt the Lease to Head Start for the property at 37 Foster Street. 24 – Receive the Report of the Ad hoc Committee and adopt the Committees recommendation to approve the agreement with the Danbury Innovation Center as presented. 25 – Receive the Report of the Ad hoc Committee and adopt the Committees recommendation to take no action on the matter to acquire the property at 4-14 Old Sugar Hollow Road. A motion was made by Gregg Seabury and seconded by Duane Perkins to accept the consent calendar as presented. Mr. Knapp asked that item #12 be on the consent calendar and read it for the record: 12 – Receive the Communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing Mayor Mark D. Boughton or Paul Estefan, Airport Administrator, to apply for and accept grant funding to purchase a new snow removal vehicle for the airport. The City share will be $4,125.00 The State of Connecticut and the FAA will supply all additional funding. The Equipment total purchase price is estimated to be $165,000.00. Mr. Fox clarified the last item was#25 which was originally voiced as #15. The amendments were accepted as friendly. The motion carried unanimously. 1. ORDINANCE & RESOLUTION--An Ordinance Making Appropriations for the Fiscal Year Beginning July 1, 2014 and ending June 30, 2015 and a Resolution Levying the Property Tax for the Fiscal Year beginning July 1, 2014 and ending June 30, 2015 President Cavo requested that this item be referred to a Public Hearing. 2. ORDINANCE--An Ordinance Appropriating $3,000,000 for Public Improvements in the 2014-2015 Capital Budget and Authorizing the Issuance of $3,000,000 Bonds of the City to Meet Said Appropriations and Pending the Issuance Thereof the Making of Temporary Borrowings for Such Purpose Councilman Knapp requested that this Item be referred to a Public Hearing. 3. ORDINANCE--Sewer Rates as of July 1, 2014 Councilman Seabury requested that this Item be referred to a Public Hearing. 4. ORDINANCE--Water Rates as of July 1, 2014 Councilman Wetmore requested that this Item be referred to a Public Hearing. 5. RESOLUTION--Downtown Special Services District - Tax Levy A motion was made by Joseph Cavo to Table this item. The motion carried unanimously. 6. COMMUNICATION--Fiscal Policies Councilman Curran requested this item be referred to an Ad hoc Committee with Corporation Counsel and the Director of Finance. Hearing no objection Mayor Boughton ordered the committee with the following Council Members, Curran, Priola, and Chianese. 7. COMMUNICATION--Appointment to the Police Department A motion was made by Colleen Stanley and seconded by Gregg Seabury to confirm the appointment of Police Officer Joseph Michael to position of Police Officer for the Danbury Police Department. The motion carried unanimously. 8. COMMUNICATION--Appointment of City Historian A motion was made by Andrew Wetmore and seconded by Fred Visconti to receive the communication and confirm the appointment of Brigid Guertin to the position of City Historian. The motion carried unanimously. 9. COMMUNICATION--Appointments to the Danbury Still River Alliance Commission The communication was received on the consent calendar. Receive the communication and confirm the appointments of the following individuals to the Danbury Still River Alliance Commission with terms to expire as stated ; Ed Siergiej exp 3/2017, Don Costello exp 3/2017, Lin Murray exp 3/2017, Harry Rosvally exp 3/2016, Marcia Wilkins exp 3/2016, Ellen Rosenberg exp 3/2016, Mike Smith exp 3/2015, Nick Kaplanis exp 3/2015. 10. COMMUNICATION--Amendments to Code of Ordinances, Section 10- 91 to 10-98 Housing Blight Councilman DiGillio requested this item be referred to an Ad hoc Committee with Corporation Counsel, a representative from the UNIT and the Building Official. Hearing no objection Mayor Boughton ordered the committee with the following Council Members DiGillio, Cavo, and Visconti. 11. COMMUNICATION--Lease Agreement - Danbury Music Center The communication was received on the consent calendar. Receive the Communication and approve the Lease Agreement with the Danbury Music Center as presented. 12. RESOLUTION--Snow Plow Removal Vehicle - Danbury Airport The resolution was received on the consent calendar. Receive the Communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing Mayor Mark D. Boughton or Paul Estefan, Airport Administrator, to apply for and accept grant funding to purchase a new snow removal vehicle for the airport. The City share will be $4,125.00 The State of Connecticut and the FAA will supply all additional funding. The Equipment total purchase price is estimated to be $165,000.00. 13. RESOLUTION--2014 Neighborhood Assistance Act The resolution was received on the consent calendar. Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution allowing local non-profit agencies to apply for and accept funding through the Connecticut Neighborhood Assistance Act and refer this item to a Public Hearing as required by the State of Connecticut. 14. RESOLUTION--Dial-A-Ride Transit Service The resolution was received on the consent calendar. Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution allowing the City of Danbury to participate in the Dial-A-Ride Transit Service Grant Program thus allowing the Housatonic Area Regional Transit to make application for this funding for fiscal year 2014-15. 15. RESOLUTION--LOCIP Project - fire Department The resolution was received on the consent calendar. Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing the City of Danbury to apply for and accept funding from the LoCIP grant program totaling $6,000.00 to replace an overhead door at a City owned firehouse. 16. RESOLUTION--DOT Grant - Police Department The resolution was received on the consent calendar. Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing the City of Danbury Police Department to accept additional funding from the State of Connecticut, Department of Transportation. These funds totaling $24,500.00 will be used to aid the DPD in the identification and enforcement of operators who are texting while driving. The City’s match in this effort is 25% or $6,125.00. 17. RESOLUTION--Still River Chanel Maintenance - 18 Patriot Drive- Metro North The resolution was received on the consent calendar. Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing the City of Danbury to execute a Temporary Right of Entry Agreement thus enabling the City to obtain temporary access to the Still River through its railroad right of way property on 18 Patriot Drive, Lot #s 113290 and 114268. 18. RESOLUTION--2013 Homeland Security Grant Funding The resolution was received on the consent calendar. Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing the City of Danbury to enter into a Region 5 Memorandum of Agreement to engage in regional cost sharing as offered through the State of Connecticut Homeland Security Grant Program. 19. REPORTS--Sidewalk Easement- 59 Eagle Road The report was received on the consent calendar. Receive the reports of the City Engineer and Corporation Counsel and authorize the Office of Corporation Counsel to finalize the Sidewalk Easement and a Maintenance to a Traffic Control Box  Easement to the City at 59 Eagle Road and that proper documentation be filed with both departments. 20. REPORTS--Sidewalk and Road Widening Easement - 42-46 Beaver Brook Road The report was received on the consent calendar. Receive the reports of the City Engineer and the Planning Commission and authorize the sidewalk easements at 42-46 Beaver Brook Rd subject to proper documentation to be filed with the Office of Corporation Counsel. 21. AD HOC REPORT & ORDINANCE - Building Department Fee Schedule Code of Ordinance, Section 6-02, 2A and 6-02-B Councilman Saadi requested that this Item be referred to a Public Hearing. Seeing no objection it was so ordered by Mayor Boughton. 22. AD HOC REPORT & ORDINANCE - Governmental Entities and Review Code of Ordinance, Section 2-176 Councilman Arconti requested that this item be referred to a Public Hearing. Seeing no objection it was so ordered by Mayor Boughton. 23. AD HOC REPORT--Head Start Lease - 37 Foster Street The report was received on the consent calendar. Receive the report of the Ad hoc Committee and accept the Committee’s recommendation to adopt the Lease to Head Start for the property at 37 Foster Street. 24. AD HOC REPORT--Danbury Innovation Center License Agreement The report was received on the consent calendar. Receive the Report of the Ad hoc Committee and adopt the Committees recommendation to approve the agreement with the Danbury Innovation Center as presented. 25. AD HOC REPORT--Request to Acquire Property - 4-14 Old Sugar Hollow Road The report was received on the consent calendar. Receive the Report of the Ad hoc Committee and adopt the Committees recommendation to take no action on the matter to acquire the property at 4-14 Old Sugar Hollow Road. 26. DEPARTMENT REPORTS--Police, Fire, Health-Housing & Welfare, Dream Homes, Public Works, Permit, Unit, Elderly Services, Library, Homeless Task Force Report  A motion was made by Joseph Cavo and seconded by Duane Perkins to waive the reading of department reports as all members have copies and additional copies are on file in the Office of the Legislative Assistant Councilman Scozzafava thanked the public utilities employees that found a 28 year old man with frozen feet. They called the Fire Department and got him help. Councilman Saadi requested that Mr. Day follow-up on the beaver issue. Mr. Day confirmed the matter would be investigated. Councilman Levy commented on Danbury Housing Partnership Annual Report and thanked those responsible for the progress. The motion carried unanimously. 28. RESOLUTION--Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Section 5310 Program. A motion was made by Joseph Cavo and seconded by Thomas Saadi to add to the agenda Item #28 2013 Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Section 5310 Program, Enhanced Mobility for Seniors & Individuals with Disabilities - Grant. The motion carried unanimously. A motion was made by Joseph Cavo and seconded by Andrew Wetmore to receive the communication, adopt the resolution authorizing Mayor Boughton or his designee, the Director of Elderly Services, to apply for and take all actions necessary including signing any documents necessary to effectuate obtaining this grant. Councilman Saadi asked the Director of Finance to certify that the matching funds have been set aside for this proposes. Mr. St. Hilaire confirmed the funds are available. The motion carried unanimously. 27. EXECUTIVE SESSION COMMUNICATION--Ratification of Recent Tax Appeal Settlement Executive Session was canceled. COMMITTEES: Mayor Boughton extended all committees and announced the following Budget Committees. • General Government I: Seabury, Cavo, Wetmore, Saadi and Perkins. • General Government II: Levy, Arconti, Cavo, Palma, and Nero. • Public Works: Knapp, Curran, Fox, DiGillio, Chianese. • Health, Housing, and Public Safety: Curran, Knapp, Wetmore, Priola and Rotello. • Education: Stanley, Seabury, Haddad, Scozzafava, and Visconti. Adjourn As there was no further business before the City Council, a motion was made by Gregg Seabury and seconded by Andrew Wetmore to Adjourn. The motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:45 pm. Respectfully submitted, Shani Burke Specht, Recording Secretary Attest, Mark D. Boughton, Mayor