City Council

CITY COUNCIL MEETING February 3, 2015 Honorable Mayor, Mark D. Boughton, called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE & PRAYER Boy Scout Troop 9 Senior Patrol Leader Tom Hessler led all in the Pledge of Allegiance. Retired Fire Chief Philip Curran 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, Marina Loyola and Joseph Scozzafava. COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Michael Haddad, Sr. and Christopher Arconti PRESENT: 19, ABSENT: 2 Michael Haddad, Sr. and Christopher Arconti have work commitments. ALSO PRESENT: Les Pinter, Deputy Corporation Counsel; Antonio Iadarola, Director of Public Works; Paul Estefan, Airport Administrator; and Jean Natale, Legislative Assistant. PUBLIC SPEAKING • Omar Vargas, Praxair Executive Director of Government Relations, commented he is available for questions when Item 14. is discussed. ANNOUNCEMENTS Mayor Boughton made the announcements for the month of February. MINUTES - Minutes of the Council Meeting held January 6, 2015 A motion was made by Councilman Cavo and seconded by Councilman Perkins, to waive the reading and accept the minutes of the January 6,2015 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: 7. RESOLUTION - South Street School Roof Replacement Receive the Communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing The Board of Education of the City of Danbury through the Superintendent of Schools, to file a grant application with the State of Connecticut Department of Education for the reimbursement of funding for the roof replacement at South Street School. 8. RESOLUTION - King Street Primary School Roof Replacement Receive the Communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing The Board of Education of the City of Danbury through the Superintendent of Schools, to file a grant application with the State of Connecticut Department of Education for the reimbursement of funding for the roof replacement at King Street Primary School. 9. RESOLUTION - King Street Intermediate School Roof Replacement Receive the Communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing The Board of Education of the City of Danbury through the Superintendent of Schools, to file a grant application with the State of Connecticut Department of Education for the reimbursement of funding for the roof replacement at King Street Intermediate School. 10. RESOLUTION - Hayestown Avenue School Roof Replacement Receive the Communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing The Board of Education of the City of Danbury through the Superintendent of Schools, to file a grant application with the State of Connecticut Department of Education for the reimbursement of funding for the roof replacement at Hayestown Avenue School. 11. REPORTS - Sewer Extension - 15 Bates Place Receive the report of the Planning Commission and the City Engineer and approve the request for the renewal of the Sanitary Sewer Time Extension of 15 Bates Place. A motion was made by Councilman Knapp and seconded by Councilman Perkins, to accept the Consent Calendar as presented. The motion carried unanimously. A motion was made by Councilman Cavo seconded by Councilman Rotello, to add Police Promotions Communications to the Agenda as the first item. The motion carried unanimously. 1. COMMUNICATION - Appointments and Promotions to the Police Department A motion was made by Councilman Nero, seconded by Councilman Saadi, to receive the communication and approve the appointment and promotion of Sergeant Joseph A. LaRose III to Police Lieutenant. The motion carried unanimously.  A motion was made by Councilman Priola, seconded by Councilman Chianese, to receive the communication and confirm the appointment and promotion of Sergeant Brian J. Bishop to Police Lieutenant. The motion carried unanimously. A motion was made by Councilwoman Stanley, seconded by Councilman Wetmore, to receive the communication and confirm the appointment and promotion of Sergeant Vincent Daniello to Police Lieutenant. The motion carried unanimously. 1A COMMUNICATION - Veterans Walkway A motion was made by Councilman Knapp, seconded by Councilman Wetmore, to receive the communication and approve the request to add 12 pillars along the edge of Veterans Walkway at the War Memorial pending the positive recommendation of the Danbury Council of Veterans. The motion carried unanimously. 2. COMMUNICATION - Property Transfer - 42 Virginia Avenue A motion was made by Councilman Wetmore to receive the communication and refer to an Ad Hoc Committee consisting of the Director of Public Works, the Tax Assessor, Corporation Counsel, and a report from Planning. Hearing no objections, Mayor Boughton ordered the Ad Hoc Committee with the following Council Members - Fox as Chair, Curran, and Rotello. 3. COMMUNICATION - Board of Appeals - Additional Members A motion was made by Councilman Fox, seconded by Councilman Saadi, to receive the communication and refer to an Ad Hoc Committee consisting of a representative of the Mayor's Office and Corporation Counsel. Hearing no objections, Mayor Boughton ordered the Ad Hoc Committee with the following Council Members - Arconti, Wetmore, and Chianese. 4. COMMUNICATION - Police Athletic League - Budget Line A motion was made by Councilman Cavo, seconded by Councilman DiGilio to receive the communication from Finance Director David St. Hilaire and approve his recommendation for the new budgetary line account item for the purposes of donations and grants for the PAL building. The motion carried unanimously. 5. COMMUNICATION - Tax Deferral Amendment, Code of Ordinance, Section 18-25 A motion was made by Councilman Curran, seconded by Councilman Saadi, to receive the communication and refer to an Ad Hoc Committee consisting of a representative of Corporation Counsel and the Director of Planning. Hearing no objections, Mayor Boughton ordered the Ad Hoc Committee with the following Council Members - Seabury as Chair, Scozzafava, and Nero. 6. COMMUNICATION - Sidewalk and Sight Line Easement - 31-33 Newtown Road Councilman Palma requested the item be referred to Corporation Counsel, City Engineer, and the Planning Commission for reports. Hearing no objections, so ordered. 7. *RESOLUTION - South Street School Roof Replacement *CONSENTED - Receive the Communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing The Board of Education of the City of Danbury through the Superintendent of Schools, to file a grant application with the State of Connecticut Department of Education for the reimbursement of funding for the roof replacement at South Street School. 8. *RESOLUTION - King Street Primary School Roof Replacement *CONSENTED - Receive the Communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing The Board of Education of the City of Danbury through the Superintendent of Schools, to file a grant application with the State of Connecticut Department of Education for the reimbursement of funding for the roof replacement at King Street Primary School. 9. *RESOLUTION - King Street Intermediate School Roof Replacement *CONSENTED - Receive the Communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing The Board of Education of the City of Danbury through the Superintendent of Schools, to file a grant application with the State of Connecticut Department of Education for the reimbursement of funding for the roof replacement at King Street Intermediate School. 10. *RESOLUTION - Hayestown Avenue School Roof Replacement *CONSENTED - Receive the Communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing The Board of Education of the City of Danbury through the Superintendent of Schools, to file a grant application with the State of Connecticut Department of Education for the reimbursement of funding for the roof replacement at Hayestown Avenue School. 11. *REPORTS - Sewer Extension - 15 Bates Place *CONSENTED - Receive the report of the Planning Commission and the City Engineer and approve the request for the renewal of the Sanitary Sewer Time Extension of 15 Bates Place. 12. AD HOC REPORT - Community Sewage System - Jensen’s A motion was made by Councilman Cavo, seconded by Councilman Levy, to waive the reading of the report. Motion carried unanimously.  A motion was made by Councilman DiGilio, seconded by Councilman Rotello, to receive the Ad Hoc Report regarding Community Sewage System in Jensen's Community and recommend the City Council adopt the Resolution as presented. Motion carried unanimously. 13. AD HOC REPORT - Off Leash - Dog Park A motion was made by Councilman Cavo, seconded by Councilman Digilio, to waive the reading of the report. Motion carried unanimously. A motion was made by Councilman Wetmore, seconded by Councilman Knapp, to receive the report and adopt the Committee's recommendations. Motion carried 17-2, Councilmen Rotello and Visconti voting no. Councilman Chianese requested Corporation Counsel research the feasibility of restricting the park to residents only. Mr. Pinter responded to questions including those from Councilman Saadi regarding amending the Ordinance, from Councilman Rotello regarding restricting the park to residents, and from Councilman Visconti regarding liability, along with comments from Councilman Wetmore. Mr. Estefan responded to Councilman Visconti's questions regarding the FAA's input and the park's location, fencing, and water; and Councilman Cavo responded to his signage question. Mr. Scozzafava commented on dog issues in other areas. 14. AD HOC REPORT - Deferral of Assessment - Praxair A motion was made by Councilman Cavo, seconded by Councilman Perkins, to waive the reading of the report. Motion carried unanimously. A motion was made by Councilman Knapp, seconded by Councilwoman Stanley, to adopt the Resolution authorizing the City of Danbury to enter into a Tax Deferral Agreement with Praxair and/or its corporate entities, as identified by Resolution by agreement. Motion carried In response to Councilman Wetmore, Mr. Pinter expanded on details and protections as discussed in the Ad Hoc Committee. Written assurance has been provided that Praxair will be a signor, default responsible property, and occupy and use at least half of the facility. The 5 year review issue has been changed to utilize the State reports which are likely more frequent. Regarding the 400 headcount issue, Praxair could not agree to that; however, they do agree to comply with the State requirements which indicates 535 employees would be maintained by Praxair and Riverview with a benefit for more and a detriment if less. Councilman Saadi expressed support for the protections discussed. Mr. Pinter responded to Councilman Nero's questions regarding the relationship between Berkshire LLC, 12 Riverview LLC, and Praxair. Mr. Pinter responded to Councilman Perkins inquiry stating the jobs numbers are not related to displacement. Mayor Boughton noted additional benefits from the State when more jobs are added. Councilman Levy discussed incentive figures for various cities which are competing for business; he expressed support. Councilman Cavo expressed support for the agreement as presented. Mayor Boughton thanked Omar Vargas, Councilman Saadi, Councilman Cavo, Bruce Tuomala, and Wayne Shepperd for their hard work. 15. DEPARTMENT REPORTS - Police, Fire, Health-Housing & Welfare, Dream Homes, Public Works, Permit Center, UNIT. Elderly, Library A motion was made by Councilman Cavo, and seconded by Councilman Knapp, to waive the reading of the Department Reports as all members have copies and copies are on file in the Legislative Assistant's Office for review. The motion carried unanimously. Mayor Boughton noted citizens are manning the front desk and he thanked the City Council, Fire Chief Wiedel, Police Chief Baker and their teams for getting it done. He noted crime is down 9% and congratulated the Police Department and the Officers who were promoted tonight. Councilman Cavo thanked the Public Works Department - Director Antonio Iadarola and City crew for the storm cleanup. Councilman DiGilio thanked the Office of Economic Development for their report to Council. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Boughton thanked the Town Clerk, Lori Kaback for her work noting she will going to work for the Town of Wilton. He, along with Councilmen Nero, Cavo, Scozzafava, and Wetmore also thanked Councilwoman Colleen Stanley for her work noting she will be moving. Councilwoman Stanley stated while they are moving, her business will still be in Danbury and she thanked the City and staff. There being no further business to come before the Council, a motion was made by Councilman Nero seconded by Councilman Saadi, to adjourn. The motion carried unanimously. The Mayor extended all committees, and the meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Lori Goor Recording Secretary Attest, Mark D. Boughton, Mayor