City Council

CITY COUNCIL MEETING (Rescheduled) March 4, 2015 Honorable Mayor, Mark D. Boughton, called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE & PRAYER Tax Collector Scott Ferguson led all in the Pledge of Allegiance. Councilman Vincent DiGilio led all in prayer. ROLL CALL: COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Philip Curran, Michael Haddad, Sr., Warren Levy, Gregg Seabury, Andrew Wetmore, Irving Fox, John Priola, Vinny DiGilio, Joseph Cavo, Thomas Saadi, Fred Visconti, Christopher Arconti, Peter Nero, Benjamin Chianese, and Paul Rotello. COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Jack Knapp, Elmer Palma, Duane Perkins, Marina Loyola, and Joseph Scozzafava. Note for the record, Christina Chieffalo was sworn in at 6:40 p.m. PRESENT: 16, ABSENT: 5 Jack Knapp and Elmer Palma are out of town; Marina Loyola is having surgery; Joseph Scozzafava had a family event; and Duane Perkins had work commitments. ALSO PRESENT: Les Pinter, Deputy Corporation Counsel; David St. Hilaire, Director of Finance, Antonio Iadarola, Director of Public Works; and Jean Natale, Legislative Assistant. PUBLIC SPEAKING - None ANNOUNCEMENTS Mayor Boughton made the announcements for the month of March. MINUTES - Minutes of the Council Meeting held February 3, 2015 A motion was made by Councilman Cavo and seconded by Councilman Arconti, to waive the reading and accept the minutes of the February 3, 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: 5. COMMUNICATION - Certification of Funds - Public Works Receive the Communication from David St. Hilaire, Director of Finance, and approve the appropriation of funds totaling $160,000.00 from the Contingency Account 002.9300-5855 to the Equipment Maintenance and Public Buildings account as requested. 6. RESOLUTION - State of Connecticut - OPM JAG Funding Receive the Communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing the City of Danbury Police Department to apply for and accept funding through the State of Connecticut Office of Policy Management Justice Assistance Grant Formula Program. This funding totaling $30,000.00 is to be used for Police Department activities to help prevent violent crime and improve public safety and requires no local funding. 7. RESOLUTION - Dial-A-Ride Transit Service Receive the Communication and adopt the Resolution that will allow the City of Danbury to participate in the "Dial-A-Ride" matching Grant program through the State of Connecticut Department of Transportation. The resolution authorizes HART to make application for this transit funding for the 2015/16 fiscal year. The local match will be met by the annual allocation to HART in the adopted budget. 8. RESOLUTION - DOT Grant - Police Department 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. The projected cost will not exceed $66,700.00. The 75% State portion is $50,025.00 while the City is responsible for $16,675.00. These funds are available in the Police Departments operating budget. 9. RESOLUTION - PCLB Foundation Grant - Elderly Services Receive the Communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing the City of Danbury Department of Elderly Services to apply for and accept funding from the "Peter and Carmen Lucia Buck" Foundation with a maximum request of $95,000.00 This funding will allow the Director to expand services to the City’s elderly clients through staffing, programs and material/equipment purchases for the 2015/16 fiscal year. No local match is required. 11. AD HOC REPORT - Government Entities Receive the report of the Ad-Hoc Committee and adopt their recommendation to extend the Tarrywile Park Authority and the Flood and Erosion Control Board of the City of Danbury for 5 years and the Youth Commission for 3 years. A motion was made by Councilman Priola and seconded by Councilman Cavo, to accept the Consent Calendar as presented. The motion carried unanimously. 1. COMMUNICATION - Appointment to the City Council A motion was made by Councilman Wetmore, seconded by Councilman Seabury, to receive the communication and confirm the appointment of Christina Chieffalo to the position of City Council At Large member. The motion carried unanimously. Councilwoman Christina Chieffalo was sworn in. Mayor Boughton thanked Former Councilwoman Colleen Stanley for her work. 2. COMMUNICATION - DHS 2020 Bond A motion was made by Councilman DiGilio, no second required, to receive the communication and divide into two - the Danbury High School (renovations) and the ACE (new building). Mayor Boughton directed the item be bifurcated. Mayor Boughton noted while Danbury High School is ready, ACE is not and that portion will be tabled. He commented that after discussions with Dr. Pascarella and ACE staff and administration, as well as student feedback, there is not strong consensus that a new building is the best option at this time and could be tabled. The Danbury High School side of the issue is ready to go. Councilmen Saadi and Rotello inquired regarding division of funding. A motion was made by Councilman DiGilio, to receive the communication and refer the Danbury High School renovations to an Ad Hoc Committee consisting of a representative from the Mayor's Office, the Director of Public Works, the Superintendent of Schools, Corporation Counsel, the Architect, and vendors necessary. Hearing no objections, Mayor Boughton ordered the Ad Hoc Committee with the Leadership Committee having Cavo as Chair. He would like that meeting to take place at a date certain in March, where as many can attend as possible, and be on the April Agenda to be sent to a Public Hearing and possibly to a special meeting A motion was made by Councilman Cavo, to table the ACE (new building) portion of the bond package to a later date. The motion carried unanimously. 3. COMMUNICATION - Proposed Ordinance Change, Section 12-1.1 - Alcoholic Beverages Consumption, Possession in Public Places A motion was made by Councilman Priola, to refer to an Ad Hoc Committee consisting of Corporation Counsel and the Director of Parks and Recreation. Hearing no objections, Mayor Boughton ordered the Ad Hoc Committee with the following Councilmembers - DiGilio as Chair, Priola, and Rotello. 4. COMMUNICATION - Proposed Ordinance Change, Section 11-8 - Renew Liquor Permit On Premise Consumption A motion was made by Councilman Priola, to refer to an Ad Hoc Committee consisting of Corporation Counsel and the Police Chief. Hearing no objections, Mayor Boughton ordered the Ad Hoc Committee with the following Councilmembers - Fox as Chair, Arconti, and Nero. 5. *COMMUNICATION - Certification of Funds - Public Works *CONSENTED - Receive the Communication from David St. Hilaire, Director of Finance, and approve the appropriation of funds totaling $160,000.00 from the Contingency Account 002.9300-5855 to the Equipment Maintenance and Public Buildings account as requested. 6. *RESOLUTION - State of Connecticut - OPM JAG Funding *CONSENTED - Receive the Communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing the City of Danbury Police Department to apply for and accept funding through the State of Connecticut Office of Policy Management Justice Assistance Grant Formula Program. This funding totaling $30,000.00 is to be used for Police Department activities to help prevent violent crime and improve public safety and requires no local funding. 7. *RESOLUTION - Dial-A-Ride Transit Service *CONSENTED - Receive the Communication and adopt the Resolution that will allow the City of Danbury to participate in the "Dial-A-Ride" matching Grant program through the State of Connecticut Department of Transportation. The resolution authorizes HART to make application for this transit funding for the 2015/16 fiscal year. The local match will be met by the annual allocation to HART in the adopted budget. 8. *RESOLUTION - DOT Grant - Police Department *CONSENTED - 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. The projected cost will not exceed $66,700.00. The 75% State portion is $50,025.00 while the City is responsible for $16,675.00. These funds are available in the Police Departments operating budget. 9. *RESOLUTION - PCLB Foundation Grant - Elderly Services *CONSENTED - Receive the Communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing the City of Danbury Department of Elderly Services to apply for and accept funding from the "Peter and Carmen Lucia Buck" Foundation with a maximum request of $95,000.00 This funding will allow the Director to expand services to the City's elderly clients through staffing, programs and material/equipment purchases for the 2015/16 fiscal year. No local match is required. 10. REPORT - Off Leash - Dog Park A motion was made by Councilman Curran, to refer to a Public Hearing. Hearing no objections, Mayor Boughton ordered the Public Hearing. 11. *AD HOC REPORT - Government Entities *CONSENTED - Receive the report of the Ad-Hoc Committee and adopt their recommendation to extend the Tarrywile Park Authority and the Flood and Erosion Control Board of the City of Danbury for 5 years and the Youth Commission for 3 years. 12. DEPARTMENT REPORTS - Police, Fire, Health-Housing & Welfare, Dream Homes, Public Works, Permit Center, UNIT. Elderly, Library A motion was made by Councilman Cavo, seconded by Councilman Rotello, 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. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Boughton noted Centralized Combined Civilian Dispatch Center at the Police Station went live on Monday. He thanked Police Chief Baker, Fire Chief Wiedel, Chief Baker, their respective Command staff and Communications Specialists, and the vendor, IXP. He urged the Council to visit the center. Councilman Curran acknowledged the excellent work of the 911 Dispatch Operators over the last 50 years, Mayor Boughton concurred. Councilman Rotello thanked Public Works Director Iadarola and his staff for keeping the roads clear of snow. He also thanked Chief Baker and his Officers for knocking on a citizen's door regarding their car, rather than having it towed. Mayor Boughton appointed Councilwoman Chieffalo to fill Councilwoman Stanley's position on the Ordinance Recodification Ad Hoc Committee. Mayor Boughton noted next month is Budget month. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Council, a motion was made by Councilman Seabury seconded by Councilman Wetmore, to adjourn. The motion carried unanimously. The Mayor extended all committees, and the meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Lori Goor Recording Secretary Attest, Mark D. Boughton, Mayor