City Council

CITY COUNCIL September 3, 2014 Honorable Mayor, Mark D. Boughton, called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE & PRAYER Mr. Sean Hearty led all in the Pledge of Allegiance. Councilman DiGilio check led all in prayer. ROLL CALL COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Philip Curran, Michael Haddad, Sr., Jack Knapp, Warren Levy, Gregg Seabury, Andrew Wetmore, Irving Fox, John Priola, Vinny DiGilio, Joseph Cavo, Thomas Saadi, Fred Visconti, Christopher Arconti, Peter Nero, Duane Perkins, Benjamin Chianese, Paul Rotello, and Joseph Scozzafava. COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Colleen Stanley, Andrew Wetmore, Elmer Palma, and Marina Loyola PRESENT: 17, ABSENT: 4 Councilman Wetmore had a medical emergency; Councilman Palma had a family emergency; and Councilwoman Loyola is expected back in October. Councilman Wetmore entered the meeting at 7:50 p.m. PRESENT 18, ABSENT: 3 at 7:50 p.m. PUBLIC SPEAKING  David Fine, 29 Corn Tassel Road, spoke on items #12 and #14.  Peter Elste, 11 Pocono Lane, volunteer with Danbury Youth Soccer, discussed field needs. ANNOUNCEMENTS Mayor Boughton made the announcements for the month of September. MINUTES A motion was made by Joseph Cavo and seconded by Duane Perkins to waive the reading and accept the minutes of the August 5, 2014 meeting, 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: 2 - COMMUNICATION - Appointment of Alternates to Planning Commission 2 – Receive the communication and approve the appointments of Gary Renz and Patrick Johnston as Alternate Members of the Planning Commission with terms to expire January 1, 2017. 3 - COMMUNICATION - Danbury Train Station Lease Proposed Budget 3 – Receive the communication and approve the Danbury Train Station Lease Proposed Budget as presented for the fiscal year 2014/15. 4 - COMMUNICATION - Re-Appropriations of Enterprise and Animal Control Funds 4 – Receive the communication and approve the re-appropriation of existing funds within the Enterprise (water and sewer) and Animal Control Funds. These funds encumbered prior to June 30, 2014 shall be utilized to complete existing projects. 11 - RESOLUTION - Historic Documents - Town Clerk 11 – Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing the City of Danbury to apply for Grant funding, totaling $7500.00 from the Connecticut State Library to be used for the FY 2015 Targeted “Historic Documents Preservation Program." 12 - RESOLUTION - DOT Grant -Police Department 12 – Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing the City of Danbury Police Department to apply for and accept funding from the State of Connecticut Department of Transportation through its “Distracted Driving High Visibility Enforcement” program. This grant, not to exceed $20,600, is funded by the State portion of 75% ($15,450) and the City will be responsible for 25% ($5,150). These funds are available in the Police Department 2014/15 budget. 13 - RESOLUTION - Department of Housing Funding 13 – Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing the City of Danbury Department of Health and Human Services to apply for and accept funding from the State of Connecticut Department of Housing for grant funds to help provide housing stability for homeless individuals, families, and children. The DOH grant funds total $650,000 and will provide small grant funds to various state communities. This grant will cover a one year period through June 30, 2015 with no local match required. 16 - REPORT & ORDINANCE - Fire Marshal - Code of Ordinance, Section 8-33 16 – Receive the report of the Committee of the Whole and adopt their recommendation to amend Section N of Code of Ordinances Section 8-33 to allow inspection of dispensers and authorize inspections of public service stations every 3 years. 17 - REPORT & ORDINANCE - Housing Blight - Code of Ordinance, Section 10-91 to 10-98 17 - Receive the report of the Committee of the Whole and adopt their recommendation to amend Section 10-91 through 10-98 of the Code of Ordinances to more closely conform to the State requirements and allow the Unified Neighborhood Inspection Team additional jurisdiction, enforcement, and oversight of housing blight. 19 - AD HOC REPORT - Use of City Property - Camp Thunderbird 19 – Receive the report of the Ad-hoc Committee and adopt their recommendation to take no action. A motion was made by Jack Knapp and seconded by Duane Perkins to accept the Consent Calendar as presented. The motion carried unanimously. 1 - COMMUNICATION - Additional Property Tax Exemption for 100% Disabled Veterans Councilman Cavo requested this item be sent to an Ad Hoc Committee with Corporation Counsel, a representative from the Mayor's Office, the Director of Finance, and the President of the Danbury Council of Veterans. Hearing no objections, Mayor Boughton ordered the committee with the following Council Members Cavo as Chair, Curran and Saadi. 2 - COMMUNICATION - Appointment of Alternates to Planning Commission The Communication was received on the Consent Calendar and approved. Receive the communication and approve the appointments of Gary Renz and Patrick Johnston as Alternate Members of the Planning Commission with terms to expire January 1, 2017. 3 - COMMUNICATION - Danbury Train Station Lease Proposed Budget The Communication was received on the Consent Calendar and approved. Receive the communication and approve the Danbury Train Station Lease Proposed Budget as presented for the fiscal year 2014/15. 4 - COMMUNICATION - Re-Appropriations of Enterprise and Animal Control Funds The Communication was received on the Consent Calendar and approved. Receive the communication and approve the re-appropriation of existing funds within the Enterprise (water and sewer) and Animal Control Funds. These funds encumbered prior to June 30, 2014 shall be utilized to complete existing projects. 5 - COMMUNICATION - Lease of Workshop at Farrington Farms Councilman Arconti requested this item be sent to an Ad Hoc Committee with Corporation Counsel, the Director of Finance, and the Director of Public Buildings, with a report from Planning. Hearing no objections, Mayor Boughton ordered the committee with the following Council Members Knapp as Chair, Haddad, and Rotello. 6 - COMMUNICATION - Lease of Café at Library Innovation Center Councilman Cavo requested this item be sent to an Ad Hoc Committee with Corporation Counsel, the Director of Finance, and the Director of Public Buildings, Library Director with a report from the Planning Commission. Hearing no objections, Mayor Boughton ordered the committee with the following Council Members Knapp as Chair, Haddad, and Rotello. 7 - COMMUNICATION - Renewal of Sewer and Water Extension -1 Kennedy Avenue Councilman DiGilio requested that this item be referred to City Engineer and Planning Department for reports. Hearing no objections, Mayor Boughton ordered the reports. 8 - COMMUNICATION - Conveyance - Waterline Easement - Danbury Hospital - Blue Garage Councilman Knapp requested that this item be referred to Corporation Counsel, City Engineer, and Planning Commission for reports. Hearing no objections, Mayor Boughton ordered the reports. 9 - COMMUNICATION - Sidewalk Easement -5 Mountainville Terrace & 108 Newtown Road Councilman Haddad requested that this item be referred to Corporation Counsel, City Engineer, and Planning Commission for reports. Hearing no objections, Mayor Boughton ordered the reports. 10 - RESOLUTION - Support of Candlewood Lake Authority - Grass Carp Program This report was read and questions regarding management of the program implementation and funding, as well as progress to date were answered. Note for the record that Councilman Wetmore entered the meeting at 7:50 p.m. A motion was made by Joseph Cavo and seconded by Paul Rotello to receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing a proposal letter to join the CLA in this project and to effectuate any documents as required for the funding. The motion carried unanimously. 11 - RESOLUTION - Historic Documents - Town Clerk The Communication was received on the Consent Calendar and approved. Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing the City of Danbury to apply for Grant funding, totaling $7500.00 from the Connecticut State Library to be used for the FY 2015 Targeted “Historic Documents Preservation Program.” 12 - RESOLUTION - DOT Grant -Police Department The Communication was received on the Consent Calendar and approved. Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing the City of Danbury Police Department to apply for and accept funding from the State of Connecticut Department of Transportation through its “Distracted Driving High Visibility Enforcement” program. This grant, not to exceed $20,600, is funded by the State portion of 75% ($15,450) and the City will be responsible for 25% ($5,150). These funds are available in the Police Department 2014/15 budget. 13 - RESOLUTION - Department of Housing Funding The Communication was received on the Consent Calendar and approved. Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing the City of Danbury Department of Health and Human Services to apply for and accept funding from the State of Connecticut Department of Housing for grant funds to help provide housing stability for homeless individuals, families, and children. The DOH grant funds total $650,000 and will provide small grant funds to various state communities. This grant will cover a one year period through June 30, 2015 with no local match required. 14 - REPORT, ORDINANCE & RESOLUTION - Danbury Road Bond 2020 - ($20 Million) The Council agreed by unanimous consent to waive the reading of the report. Questions were answered regarding related equipment purchase and future road repair timelines. This item shall be on the November ballot. A motion was made by Councilman Wetmore and seconded by Councilman Seabury to receive the report of the Committee of the Whole and adopt the Resolution and Ordinance appropriating $20 million for various public improvements and issuing $20 million in bonds to meet said appropriations. The motion carried unanimously. 15 - REPORT, ORDINANCE & RESOLUTION - Pension Obligation Bonds - ($50 Million) A motion was made by Councilman Knapp to table the item. The motion carried 17-1, Councilman Rotello voting no. 16 - REPORT & ORDINANCE - Fire Marshal - Code of Ordinance, Section 8-33 The report was received and the actions authorized on the Consent Calendar. Receive the report of the Committee of the Whole and adopt their recommendation to amend Section N of Code of Ordinances Section 8-33 to allow inspection of dispensers and authorize inspections of public service stations every 3 years. 17 - REPORT & ORDINANCE - Housing Blight - Code of Ordinance, Section 10-91 to 10-98 The report was received and the actions authorized on the Consent Calendar. Receive the report of the Committee of the Whole and adopt their recommendation to amend Section 10-91 through 10-98 of the Code of Ordinances to more closely conform to the State requirements and allow the Unified Neighborhood Inspection Team additional jurisdiction, enforcement, and oversight of housing blight. 18 - AD HOC REPORT - Old Ridgebury Road - 13 Acres There was a short discussion regarding the property history, the 6th ward, other future needs, and where the balance of the sale proceeds would go. The need for soccer fields, temporary field arrangements, and whether the $750,000 would be adequate was discussed with Mayor Boughton stating for the record that he is reserving the right to return and ask for more funds if needed.  A motion was made by Councilman Priola and seconded by Councilman Cavo to receive the communication and approve the sale of the property as recommended by the Ad Hoc Committee with $750,000 of the sale proceeds to be set aside for recreational purposes. The motion carried 15-3, Councilmen Fox, Rotello, Perkins voting no. 19 - AD HOC REPORT - Use of City Property - Camp Thunderbird The report was received and the actions authorized on the Consent Calendar. Receive the report of the Ad-hoc Committee and adopt their recommendation to take no action. 20 - DEPARTMENT REPORTS - Police, Fire, Health-Housing & Welfare, Dream Homes, Public Works, Permit Center, UNIT. Elderly, Library Councilman Visconti thanked Mr. Kaplanis and Public Works for the speed humps at Lion's Way and Rodgers Park, and Shawn Stillman and the Unit for help with several phone calls. There were inquiries and responses regarding benches on Kennedy Avenue at the park, Shannon Ridge and Lake Avenue traffic light, timeframe between paving and striping. A motion was made by Councilman Cavo and seconded by Councilman Perkins to waive the reading of the reports as all members have copies and copies are on file in the legislative assistant's office for review. The motion carried unanimously. There being no further business to come before the Council, a motion was made by Councilman Perkins and seconded by Councilman Wetmore to adjourn. The motion carried unanimously. The Mayor extended all committees and the meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Lori Goor Recording Secretary Attest, Mark D. Boughton, Mayor