City Council

CITY COUNCIL June 3, 2014 Honorable Mayor, Mark D. Boughton, called the meeting to order at 7:35 pm in the Council Chambers. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE & PRAYER Shay Osmond, Boy Scout Troop #6, led all in the Pledge of Allegiance and Councilman DiGilio led a prayer to begin the meeting. ROLL CALL COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Philip Curran., Michael Haddad, Sr., Jack Knapp, Warren Levy, Colleen Stanley, Andrew Wetmore, Irving Fox, Vinny DiGilio, John Priolo, Joseph Cavo, Thomas Saadi, Fred Visconti, Elmer Palma, Christopher Arconti, Peter Nero, Duane Perkins, Benjamin Chianese, and Paul Rotello. COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Gregg Seabury, Marina Loyola, and Joe Scozzafava. PRESENT: 18, ABSENT: 3 Councilman Seabury was out of town on family business. Councilman Scozzafava was ill. Councilwoman Loyola is recovering from a serious illness. ALSO PRESENT: Jean Natale, Legislative Assistant; Robert Yamin, Corporation Counsel; Les Pinter, Deputy Corporation Counsel. PUBLIC SPEAKING Former Congressman James Maloney, Connecticut Institute for Communities, Inc., spoke about the Item #15 Department Reports, Health and Human Services Report. He stated that the transition of the school based health centers to Connecticut Institute for Communities, Inc. has gone very well. ANNOUNCEMENTS The Mayor read the announcements for the month of June. MINUTES - Minutes of the Council Meeting held May 6, 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 for review in the office of the Legislative Assistant. The motion carried unanimously. CONSENT CALENDAR Councilman Knapp read the Consent Calendar as follows: 2 –Receive the Communication and approve the reappointment of the firm of McGladrey & Pullen to perform the audit for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2014 as required by the City Charter and State Statutes. 3 – Receive the Communication and approve the transfer of $401,064.51 to the Suspense List as requested by Scott M. Ferguson, Tax Collector. 6 – Receive the Communication and approve the request from the City of Danbury Ambulance Fund, totaling $100,000.00, to be used to install two UHF receivers and replace two UHF antennas that are critical to ensure stabile and reliable communications between emergency responders. 7 - Receive the Communication and approve the appropriation to the Ambulance Fund totaling $80,000.00, to pay for the expenditures derived from the increase in the total number of responses. 9 – Receive the Communication and adopt the Resolution allowing the City of Danbury Department of Health and Human Services to apply for and accept funding, totaling $97,712.26, to promote programs within the department. No local match is required. 10 - Receive the Communication and adopt the Resolution allowing the City of Danbury Police Department to apply for and accept funding from the US Department of Justice Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program. This funding, not to exceed $16,998.00, will be used to aid the Police Department in purchasing equipment and supplies to assist with programs and services. No local match is required. 11 - Receive the Communication and adopt the Resolution allowing the City of Danbury Police Department to apply for and accept funding from the State of Connecticut Department of Transportation. This funding, not to exceed $24,500.00 will be used to aid in enforcing laws regarding texting while driving. The State portion is 75% while the City is responsible for 25% or $6,125.00. Funding is available in the 2013-14 Police Department budget. 12 - Receive the Communication and adopt the Resolution allowing the City of Danbury Department of Health and Human Services to extend the current contract and accept additional funding from the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health for the existing “Public Health Emergency Preparedness “grant. This additional funding totaling $56,324.00 increases the total contract amount to $225,206.00 and will cover the extension for one year. No local match is required. 13 – Receive the Report of the Ad Hoc Committee on Financial Policies and accept their recommendation to adopt the formal Financial Policies, making recommended changes as discussed and taking effect July 1, 2014. A motion was made by Vinny DiGilio and seconded by Joseph Cavo to accept the Consent Calendar as presented. The motion carried unanimously. 1. COMMUNICATION --Promotion - Fire Department A motion was made by Philip Curran and seconded by Joseph Cavo to Approve to receive the communication and confirm the appointment of Steven Rogers to the position of Communications Coordinator at the Danbury Fire Department. The motion carried unanimously. 2. COMMUNICATION --Appointment of Independent Auditors The Communication was received on the Consent Calendar and approved. Receive the Communication and approve the reappointment of the firm of McGladrey & Pullen to perform the audit for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2014 as required by the City Charter and State Statutes. 3. COMMUNICATION --Annual Suspense List The Communication was received on the Consent Calendar and approved. Receive the Communication and approve the transfer of $401,064.51 to the Suspense List as requested by Scott M. Ferguson, Tax Collector. 4. COMMUNICATION-- Donation to Parks and Recreation Department A motion was made by Fred Visconti and seconded by Jack Knapp to table this item. The motion carried by the following vote: 17-1 AYES: Philip Curran., Michael Haddad, Sr., Jack Knapp, Warren Levy, Colleen Stanley, Andrew Wetmore, Irving Fox, Vinny DiGilio, John Priolo, Joseph Cavo, Thomas Saadi, Fred Visconti, Elmer Palma, Christopher Arconti, Peter Nero, Benjamin Chianese, and Paul Rotello. NAYS: Duane Perkins. 5. COMMUNICATION --Donation to Department of Elderly Services A motion was made by Andrew Wetmore and seconded by Joseph Cavo to receive the communication, accept the generous donation and send an appropriate letter of thanks. The motion carried unanimously. 6. COMMUNICATION --Certification of Funds - Ambulance Funds - Public The Communication was received on the Consent Calendar and approved. Receive the Communication and approve the request from the City of Danbury Ambulance Fund, totaling $100,000.00, to be used to install two UHF receivers and replace two UHF antennas that are critical to ensure stabile and reliable communications between emergency responders. 7. COMMUNICATION --Certification of Funds - Ambulance Funds - Increase in Responses The Communication was received on the Consent Calendar and approved. Receive the Communication and approve the appropriation to the Ambulance Fund totaling $80,000.00, to pay for the expenditures derived from the increase in the total number of responses. 8. COMMUNICATION --Request for Sewer Extension - 55 Newtown Road Councilman Haddad requested that this item be referred to the City Engineer and Planning Dept. for reports. Hearing no objection Mayor Boughton ordered the report. 9. RESOLUTION --Per Capita FY 2015 Grant Allocation The Resolution was received on the Consent Calendar and adopted. Receive the Communication and adopt the Resolution allowing the City of Danbury Department of Health and Human Services to apply for and accept funding, totaling $97,712.26, to promote programs within the department. No local match is required. 10. RESOLUTION --JAG FY 2014 Bryne Funding - Police Department The Resolution was received on the Consent Calendar and adopted. Receive the Communication and adopt the Resolution allowing the City of Danbury Police Department to apply for and accept funding from the US Department of Justice Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program. This funding, not to exceed $16,998.00, will be used to aid the Police Department in purchasing equipment and supplies to assist with programs and services. No local match is required. 11. RESOLUTION --State of CT - DOT Grant - Police Department The Resolution was received on the Consent Calendar and adopted. Receive the Communication and adopt the Resolution allowing the City of Danbury Police Department to apply for  and accept funding from the State of Connecticut Department of Transportation. This funding, not to exceed $24,500.00 will be used to aid in enforcing laws regarding texting while driving. The State portion is 75% while the City is responsible for 25% or $6,125.00. Funding is available in the 2013-14 Police Department budget. 12. RESOLUTION--PHEP Grant – DOH The Resolution was received on the Consent Calendar and adopted. Receive the Communication and adopt the Resolution allowing the City of Danbury Department of Health and Human Services to extend the current contract and accept additional funding from the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health for the existing “Public Health Emergency Preparedness “grant. This additional funding totaling $56,324.00 increases the total contract amount to $225,206.00 and will cover the extension for one year. No local match is required. 13. AD HOC REPORT--Financial Policies The Report was received on the Consent Calendar and adopt. Receive the Report of the Ad Hoc Committee on Financial Policies and accept their recommendation to adopt the formal Financial Policies, making recommended changes as discussed and taking effect July 1, 2014 14. AD HOC REPORT--Cell Tower Richter Park A motion was made by Colleen Stanley and seconded by Joseph Cavo to table the item. The motion carried by the following vote: 17 - 1 AYES: Philip Curran., Michael Haddad, Sr., Jack Knapp, Warren Levy, Colleen Stanley, Andrew Wetmore, Irving Fox, Vinny DiGilio, John Priolo, Joseph Cavo, Fred Visconti, Elmer Palma, Christopher Arconti, Peter Nero, Duane Perkins, Benjamin Chianese, and Paul Rotello. NAYS: Thomas Saadi. 15. DEPARTMENT REPORTS--Police, Fire, Health-Housing & Welfare, Dream Homes, Public Works, Permit Center, UNIT, Elderly Services. A motion was made by Joseph Cavo and seconded by Christopher Arconti to waive the reading of Department Reports as all members have copies and additional copies are available in the office of the Legislative Assistant. Councilman Visconti asked Chief Herald to review the responsibilities of the new position approved this evening. Chief Herald stated that additional duties would include all interdepartmental communication including the equipment used such as radios and computers. Additionally he will work as public information officer and will coordinate intra-departmental communication. He will also handle social media for the department. The motion carried unanimously. 16. EXECUTIVE SESSION--COMMUNICATION--Ratification of Recent Tax appeal Settlements A motion was made by Joseph Cavo and seconded by Vinny DiGilio to move the meeting into Executive Session. The motion carried unanimously. Executive Session began at 8:00 pm. A motion was made by Joseph Cavo and seconded by Thomas Saadi to return to regular session. The motion carried unanimously. Executive Session ended at 8:20 pm. A motion was made by Joseph Cavo and seconded by Jack Knapp to approve the recommended settlement and arrangements as provided by Corporation Counsel in regards to the tax appeal settlement. The motion carried unanimously. ADJOURN As there was no further business before the City Council a motion was made by Thomas Saadi and seconded by Jack Knapp to Adjourn. The motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:20 pm. Respectfully submitted, Shani Burke Specht Recording Secretary Attest, Mark D. Boughton, Mayor