City Council

CITY COUNCIL MEETING July 7, 2015 Honorable Mayor, Mark D. Boughton, called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE & PRAYER Sean Hatch led all in the Pledge of Allegiance. Council Member DiGilio led all in prayer. ROLL CALL COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Philip Curran, Warren Levy, Gregg Seabury, Christina Chieffalo, Andrew Wetmore, Irving Fox, Vinny DiGilio, Joseph Cavo, Thomas Saadi, Fred Visconti, Christopher Arconti Duane Perkins, Ben Chianese, Paul Rotello, and Joseph Scozzafava COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Michael Haddad, Sr., Jack Knapp, Warren Levy, Elmer Palma, Peter Nero, and John Priola. PRESENT: 15, ABSENT: 6 Michael Haddad, Sr. and Jack Knapp are out on business; John Priola is out of town; Warren Levy and Elmer Palma are at a family functions; Peter Nero is ill; ALSO PRESENT: Bob Yamin, Corporation Counsel; Les Pinter, Deputy Corporation Counsel; David St. Hilaire, Director of Finance; Alan Baker, Police Chief; Antonio Iadarola, Director of Public Works; Stephen Nocera, Director of Project Excellence; and Jean Natale, Legislative Assistant. PUBLIC SPEAKING  Margaret Mitchell, 2 Park Place, Danbury, discussed drainage, spoke in favor of Items 1, 2, 7, and commented on Item 8 and on the octagon house.  Matt Serfass, 62 Jefferson Avenue, Danbury spoke in favor of Item 7 and asked the many audience members to raise their hands in favor.  Jessica Serfass, 62 Jefferson Avenue, Danbury spoke in favor of Item 7.  Jim O'Connell, Danbury spoke in favor of Item 7.  Peter Bafundo, 62 Jefferson Avenue, Danbury spoke in favor of Item 7. ANNOUNCEMENTS Mayor Boughton held a moment of silence in honor of James Perkins, then made the announcements for the month of July. MINUTES - Minutes of the Council Meeting held: June 2, 2015  A motion was made by Councilman Cavo and seconded by Councilman Seabury, to waive the reading and accept the minutes of the June 2, 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 Levy read the Consent Calendar as follows: 4. COMMUNICATION - Waiver of Sewer and Water Charges-Regional Hospice Receive the Communication and authorize the final and one year waiver for water and sewer charges for the quarter of December 2014 and the three that immediately follow for Regional Hospice and Home Care of Western Connecticut. 5. COMMUNICATION - Appointments to Charles Ives Authority for Performing Arts Receive the Communication and confirm the appointments of Brian McKenna, John F.J. Voket, Mary Foley and Brett A. DeWeese to serve as Members of the Charles Ives Authority for the Performing Arts with terms to expire July 1, 2018 6. COMMUNICATION - Appointments to the Environmental Impact Commission Receive the Communication and confirm the appointments of Walter A. Wolk Jr. and Jeffrey R. Giegler to serve as Alternate Members of the Environmental Impact Commission with terms to expire July 1, 2018 10. COMMUNICATION – Appointment to the Zoning Commission Receive the Communication and approve the appointment of Kevin Haas to fill the vacancy on the Zoning Commission. Mr. Haas currently is serving an Alternate Member of the Zoning Commission and has an excellent attendance record. 11. COMMUNICATION – Appointment to the Zoning Commission-Alternate Receive the Communication and approve the appointment of Carlos Valenzuela to fill the vacancy as an Alternate on the Zoning Commission. Mr. Valenzuela is an active member of the Danbury Community serving as a member of the Lions Club, Hispanic Center and the United Way. 16. RESOLUTION – PHBG Contract – Health Department Receive the Communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing the City of Danbury Health and Human Services Department to apply for and accept grant funding through the State of Connecticut, Department of Public Health Block Grant Program (PHBG). Funding not to exceed $67,701.00 will cover a three year period from 10/01/15-09/30/18 and requires no local match. 17. RESOLUTION - Danbury Youth Service Receive the Communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing the City of Danbury in conjunction with Danbury Youth Services to apply for and accept grant funding from the State of Connecticut, Department of Education. This funding not to exceed $70,000.00 per year of this two year contract will be used to provide support counseling services, development programs and outreach and prevention services to its clients. The required local match will be met through the City’s fiscal year appropriations to Danbury Youth Services. 18. RESOLUTION - PHEP Grant - DOH Receive the Communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing the City of Danbury Health and Human Services Department to apply for and accept grant funding from the State of Connecticut, Department of Public Health through the “Public Health Emergency Preparedness Grant. Funding not to exceed $60,858.00 will cover a one year period from 07/01/15-06/30/16 and requires no local match. 19. RESOLUTION - Community Development Block Grant – Year 41 Receive the Communication and adopt the Resolution which will allow the City of Danbury to apply for and accept funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) for Program Year 41. Funding totals $596,398.00 and requires no local match. A motion was made by Councilman Wetmore and seconded by Councilman DiGilio, to accept the Consent Calendar as presented. The motion carried unanimously. AGENDA 1. COMMUNICATION - Appointment to the City Council A motion was made by Councilman Wetmore, seconded by Councilman Cavo, to receive the communication and confirm the appointment of Nancy Cammisa to the position of City Council for the 7th Ward. The motion carried unanimously. 2. COMMUNICATION - Appointment of Highway Superintendent A motion was made by Councilman Scozzafava, seconded by Councilman Rotello, to receive the communication and confirm the appointment and promotion Timothy Nolan to the position of Highway Superintendent. The motion carried unanimously. 3. COMMUNICATION - Appointment of Animal Control Officer  A motion was made by Councilman Fox, seconded by Councilman Saadi, to receive the communication and confirm the appointment of Special Police Officer Jay Mortara to the position of Animal Control Officer. The motion carried unanimously. 4. COMMUNICATION - Waiver of Sewer and Water Charges-Regional Hospice *CONSENTED - Receive the Communication and authorize the final and one year waiver for water and sewer charges for the quarter of December 2014 and the three that immediately follow for Regional Hospice and Home Care of Western Connecticut. 5. COMMUNICATION - Appointments to Charles Ives Authority for Performing Arts *CONSENTED - Receive the Communication and confirm the appointments of Brian McKenna, John F.J. Voket, Mary Foley and Brett A. DeWeese to serve as Members of the Charles Ives Authority for the Performing Arts with terms to expire July 1, 2018 6. COMMUNICATION - Appointments to the Environmental Impact Commission *CONSENTED - Receive the Communication and confirm the appointments of Walter A. Wolk Jr. and Jeffrey R. Giegler to serve as Alternate Members of the Environmental Impact Commission with terms to expire July 1, 2018 7. COMMUNICATION - Disc Golf Course A motion was made by Councilman Arconti to receive the communication and refer to an Ad Hoc consisting of the Director of Public Works, Parks & Recreation Director, and Corporation Counsel, with a report from the Planning Commission. Hearing no objections, Mayor Boughton ordered the Ad Hoc Committee with the following Councilmembers - Priola as Chair, Arconti, and Rotello. 8. COMMUNICATION - Proposed Ordinance Prohibiting Certain Dogs From Public Parks A motion was made by Councilman Curran to receive the communication and refer to an Ad Hoc consisting of Corporation Counsel, the Parks & Recreation Director, and Chief of Police. Hearing no objections, Mayor Boughton ordered the Ad Hoc Committee with the following Councilmembers - Wetmore as Chair, Knapp, and Visconti. 9. COMMUNICATION – Certification of Funds-Charles Ives Authority Mayor Boughton responded to Councilman Rotello's questions regarding this year's season, Councilman Visconti's questions regarding the Westcon's building for the performing arts, Councilman Saadi's questions regarding funding commitments, and Councilman Perkins's questions regarding direction on types facilities. Finance Director David St. Hilaire responded to Councilman Saadi's questions regarding quarterly payments. A motion was made by Councilwoman Chieffalo, seconded by Councilman Rotello, to receive the communication and request the appropriation of funds in the amount of $55,404 from the City's Contingency Account to be used for the Charles Ives Authority grant. The motion carried unanimously. 10. COMMUNICATION – Appointment to the Zoning Commission *CONSENTED - Receive the Communication and approve the appointment of Kevin Haas to fill the vacancy on the Zoning Commission. Mr. Haas currently is serving an Alternate Member of the Zoning Commission and has an excellent attendance record. 11. COMMUNICATION – Appointment to the Zoning Commission-Alternate *CONSENTED - Receive the Communication and approve the appointment of Carlos Valenzuela to fill the vacancy as an Alternate on the Zoning Commission. Mr. Valenzuela is an active member of the Danbury Community serving as a member of the Lions Club, Hispanic Center and the United Way. 12. COMMUNICATION – War Memorial-Waiver Water and Sewer Usage Charges Finance Director David St. Hilaire responded to Councilman Chianese's question regarding usage. Deputy Corporation Counsel Les Pinter responded to Councilman Rotello's question regarding the Ad Hoc Committee. A motion was made by Councilman Cavo, seconded by Councilman Wetmore, to extend the waiver of water and sewer fees to the War Memorial from June 2015 to June 2016 with the item to be revisited in a year. The motion carried unanimously. 13. COMMUNICATION – Snow Shelf and Sidewalk Easement-Victorian Meadows-Osborne St A motion was made by Councilman Seabury, to receive the communication and refer to the City Engineer, Corporation Counsel, and the Planning Commission for reports. Hearing no objection, so ordered by Mayor Boughton. 14. COMMUNICATION – Conveyance of Land – Parcel X – 14 Gregory Street A motion was made by Councilman Arconti to receive the communication and refer to the City Engineer and Corporation Counsel, and the Planning Commission for reports. Hearing no objections, so ordered by Mayor Boughton. 15. COMMUNICATION – Renewal of Water Extension – 8 Deerfield Ave.  A motion was made by Councilman Scozzafava to request an extension of time for the sanitary water at 8 Deerfield Avenue, and refer to the City Engineer and Planning Commission for a report. Hearing no objections, so ordered by Mayor Boughton. 16. RESOLUTION – PHBG Contract – Health Department *CONSENTED - Receive the Communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing the City of Danbury Health and Human Services Department to apply for and accept grant funding through the State of Connecticut, Department of Public Health Block Grant Program (PHBG). Funding not to exceed $67,701.00 will cover a three year period from 10/01/15-09/30/18 and requires no local match. 17. RESOLUTION - Danbury Youth Service *CONSENTED - Receive the Communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing the City of Danbury in conjunction with Danbury Youth Services to apply for and accept grant funding from the State of Connecticut, Department of Education. This funding not to exceed $70,000.00 per year of this two year contract will be used to provide support counseling services, development programs and outreach and prevention services to its clients. The required local match will be met through the City’s fiscal year appropriations to Danbury Youth Services. 18. RESOLUTION - PHEP Grant - DOH *CONSENTED - Receive the Communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing the City of Danbury Health and Human Services Department to apply for and accept grant funding from the State of Connecticut, Department of Public Health through the “Public Health Emergency Preparedness Grant. Funding not to exceed $60,858.00 will cover a one year period from 07/01/15-06/30/16 and requires no local match. 19. RESOLUTION - Community Development Block Grant – Year 41 *CONSENTED -Receive the Communication and adopt the Resolution which will allow the City of Danbury to apply for and accept funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) for Program Year 41. Funding totals $596,398.00 and requires no local match. 20. AD-HOC REPORT – Ordinance Recodification A motion was made by Councilman Cavo, and was seconded, to waive the reading of the report as all members have copies and copies are on file in the Legislative Assistant's Office for review. Motion carried unanimously. A motion was made by Councilman DiGilio to receive the report and refer to a Public Hearing. Hearing no objection, so ordered by Mayor Boughton. 21. 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 Curran, 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. Chief Baker responded to Councilman Arconti’s questions, noting there is a glitch and the system is not Counting assaults correctly. Councilman Cavo thanked Marina Loyola for her service to the City Council and the City of Danbury. 22. EXECUTIVE SESSION - Purchase of Property by the City of Danbury A motion was made by Councilman Cavo, seconded by Councilwoman Chieffalo, to enter Executive Session (for the purpose of the purchase of property by the City of Danbury). Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Boughton requested the presence of Corporation Counsel Bob Yamin, Deputy Corporation Counsel Les Pinter, Finance Director David St. Hilaire, Director of Public Works Antonio Iadarola, and Stephen Nocera, Director of Project Excellence. Recommence Mayor Boughton stated the Council has returned from Executive Session. 22. COMMUNICATION - Purchase of Property by the City of Danbury A motion was made by Councilman Cavo, seconded by Councilwoman Rotello, to approve the plan as discussed in Executive Session and adopt the resolution as follows: Now it therefore be resolved that Mayor Mark D. Boughton is hereby authorized to acquire such land and building as specified in the Executive Session by negotiation or eminent domain including, but not limited to, all necessary binder commitments to secure the property prior to acquisition or condemnation. Motion carried unanimously. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Council, a motion was made by Councilman Seabury, seconded by Councilman Saadi, to adjourn. The motion carried unanimously. The Mayor extended all committees, and the meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Lori Goor Recording Secretary Attest, Mark D. Boughton, Mayor