City Council

CITY COUNCIL MEETING August 4, 2015 Honorable Mayor, Mark D. Boughton, called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE & PRAYER Stephen Nocera led all in the Pledge of Allegiance, Philip Curran led all in prayer. ROLL CALL COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Philip Curran, Jack Knapp, Warren Levy, Gregg Seabury, Andrew Wetmore, John Priola, Vinny DiGilio, Joseph Cavo, Thomas Saadi, Fred Visconti, Elmer Palma, Christopher Arconti, Peter Nero, Duane Perkins, Ben Chianese, Paul Rotello, Nancy Cammisa, and Joseph Scozzafava. COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Michael Haddad, Sr., Christina Chieffalo, and Irving Fox. PRESENT: 18, ABSENT: 3 Michael Haddad, Sr. and Christina Chieffalo are at family events, and Irving Fox is travelling. ALSO PRESENT: Bob Yamin, Corporation Counsel; Les Pinter, Deputy Corporation Counsel; David St. Hilaire, Director of Finance; Alan Baker, Police Chief; Stephen Nocera, Director of Project Excellence; Scott Leroy, Director of Health and Human Services; Colleen LaHood, Assessor; Scott Ferguson, Tax Collector; and Jean Natale, Legislative Assistant. PUBLIC SPEAKING  Lynn Waller, 83 Highland Avenue, Danbury, discussed Item 11. ANNOUNCEMENTS Mayor Boughton made the announcements for the month of August. MINUTES - Minutes of the Council Meeting held: A motion was made by Councilman Cavo and seconded by Councilman Perkins, to waive the reading and accept the minutes of the July 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: 2. COMMUNICATION - Appointment to Other Post Employment Benefit Board Receive the Communication and approve the appointment of Andrea Gray, Roger Palanzo, Philip Curran, Warren Levy and Paul Estefan to serve on the City of Danbury Other Post Employment Benefit Board with terms to expire as designated. **Note Item 3. Removed from Consent Calendar. 4. RESOLUTION - Per Capita 2016 Grant Allocation 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 Public Health totaling $93,726.08. This is a Per Capita Grant Allocation which is available from July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016. No local match is required. 6. REPORTS - Acceptance of Road/Drainage-Cannonball Drive Ext. Receive the Reports from the City Engineer, Corporation Counsel and the Planning Commission and approve the request for a Drainage Easement on Cannonball Drive subject to the completion of all necessary documentation in form and content acceptable to the Corporation Counsels Office. 7. REPORTS - Acceptance of Water Extension Renewal-8 Deerfield Ave. Receive the Reports from the City Engineer, Corporation Counsel and the Planning Commission and approve the request for an 18 month time extension related to the approval of a water extension at 8 Deerfield Avenue. This extension shall be subject to the City’s standard (8) steps/conditions and the completion of all necessary documentation in form and content acceptable to the Corporation Counsels Office. 8. REPORTS - Conveyance of Land Parcel X – 14 Gregory Street Receive the Reports from the City Engineer, Corporation Counsel and the Planning Commission and approve the request for the conveyance of land Parcel X - 14 Gregory Street. This approval shall be subject to the completion of all necessary documentation in form and content acceptable to the Corporation Counsels Office. 9. REPORTS - Snow Shelf and Sidewalk Easement-Victorian Meadows-Osborne St. Receive the Reports from the City Engineer, Corporation Counsel and the Planning Commission and approve the request for a sidewalk easement and snow shelf located on Osborne Street at Victorian Meadows. This approval shall be subject to the completion of all necessary documentation in form and content acceptable to the Corporation Counsels Office. 10. REPORT - Advisor Report on Compromise/Settlement of Litigation Receive the Report of the Corporation Counsels Office as pursuant to City Charter Section 6-4 as amended and adopted in 2009. Councilman Rotello requested Item 3. be removed from the Consent Calendar. A motion was made by Councilman Knapp and seconded by Councilman Palma, to accept the Consent Calendar as amended (Item 3. removed). The motion carried unanimously. 1. COMMUNICATION - Appointment-Police Lieutenant A motion was made by Councilman Wetmore, seconded by Councilman Saadi, to receive the communication and confirm the appointment of Sergeant Andrew Corrado to the position of Police Lieutenant. The motion carried unanimously. A motion was made by Councilman Scozzafava, seconded by Councilman Cavo, to receive the communication and confirm the appointment of Sergeant Martin Lobraico Jr. to the position of Police Lieutenant. The motion carried unanimously. 2. COMMUNICATION - Appointment to Other Post Employment Benefit Board *CONSENTED - Receive the Communication and approve the appointment of Andrea Gray, Roger Palanzo, Philip Curran, Warren Levy and Paul Estefan to serve on the City of Danbury Other Post Employment Benefit Board with terms to expire as designated. 3. RESOLUTION - LOCIP 2015 Application A motion was made by Councilman Cavo to receive the communication and refer to an Ad Hoc consisting of Corporation Counsel, a representative from Tarrywile Park Authority, and the Director of Public Buildings . Hearing no objections, Mayor Boughton ordered the Ad Hoc Committee with the following Councilmembers - Knapp as Chair, Wetmore, and Rotello. 4. RESOLUTION - Per Capita 2016 Grant Allocation *CONSENTED - 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 Public Health totaling $93,726.08. This is a Per Capita Grant Allocation which is available from July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016. No local match is required. 5. RESOLUTION - ST. OF CT. Homeless Shelter Grant Resolution Template Mr. Leroy, in response to Mr. Saadi's inquiry, expanded on what services this agreement allows. Mayor Boughton discussed a communication received from Dorothy Day about the facility on Spring Street regarding land use issues, hiring of temporary security, and behavior pledge cards.  A motion was made by Councilman Arconti, seconded by Councilman Seabury, to receive the communication and authorize the City to undertake an emergency shelter program and to execute an assistance agreement with the State of Connecticut. The motion carried unanimously. 6. REPORTS - Acceptance of Road/Drainage-Cannonball Drive Ext. *CONSENTED - Receive the Reports from the City Engineer, Corporation Counsel and the Planning Commission and approve the request for a Drainage Easement on Cannonball Drive subject to the completion of all necessary documentation in form and content acceptable to the Corporation Counsels Office. 7. REPORTS - Acceptance of Water Extension Renewal-8 Deerfield Ave. *CONSENTED - Receive the Reports from the City Engineer, Corporation Counsel and the Planning Commission and approve the request for an 18 month time extension related to the approval of a water extension at 8 Deerfield Avenue. This extension shall be subject to the City’s standard (8) steps/conditions and the completion of all necessary documentation in form and content acceptable to the Corporation Counsels Office. 8. REPORTS - Conveyance of Land Parcel X – 14 Gregory Street *CONSENTED - Receive the Reports from the City Engineer, Corporation Counsel and the Planning Commission and approve the request for the conveyance of land Parcel X - 14 Gregory Street. This approval shall be subject to the completion of all necessary documentation in form and content acceptable to the Corporation Counsels Office. 9. REPORTS - Snow Shelf and Sidewalk Easement-Victorian Meadows-Osborne St. *CONSENTED - Receive the Reports from the City Engineer, Corporation Counsel and the Planning Commission and approve the request for a sidewalk easement and snow shelf located on Osborne Street at Victorian Meadows. This approval shall be subject to the completion of all necessary documentation in form and content acceptable to the Corporation Counsels Office. 10. REPORT - Advisor Report on Compromise/Settlement of Litigation *CONSENTED - Receive the Report of the Corporation Counsels Office as pursuant to City Charter Section 6- 4 as amended and adopted in 2009. 11. Ad Hoc Report - War Memorial/Ct. Institute for Communities For the record, Mr. DiGilio re-read the motion from the Ad Hoc meeting for clarification as follows: 'To recommend concurring approval of the agency and lease agreements between the Connecticut Institute for Families and the War Memorial for use of the War Memorial facility for classrooms and a small playground area subject to a Public Hearing as required and any other relevant land or building use approvals necessary including full site plans.'  A motion was made by Councilwoman Cammisa to refer to a Public Hearing. Hearing no objections, Mayor Boughton so ordered. 12. DEPARTMENT REPORTS - Police, Fire, Health-Housing & Welfare, Dream Homes, Public Works, Permit Center, Unit, Elderly, Library In response to Mr. Saadi's inquiry, Chief Baker commented on status of Officers on light duty, training, sick leave, promotions, and retirements. A motion was made by Councilman Cavo, seconded by Councilman Perkins, 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. EXCECUTIVE SESSION A motion was made by Councilman Cavo, seconded by Councilman Visconti, to enter Executive Session (for the purpose of ratification of recent tax appeal settlement). Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Boughton requested the presence of Corporation Counsel Bob Yamin, Deputy Corporation Counsel Les Pinter, Finance Director David St. Hilaire, Assessor Colleen LaHood; and Scott Ferguson Tax Collector. Recommence A motion was made to Councilman Cavo, seconded by Councilman Seabury to return to regular session. Motion carried unanimously. 13. COMMUNICATION - Ratification of Recent Tax Appeal Settlement A motion was made to Councilman Cavo, seconded by Councilman Palma, that in regards to ratification of recent tax appeal settlement as discussed in Executive Session, that we accept the recommendation of Corporation Counsel and Director of Finance to make a settlement on this case as discussed. Motion carried unanimously. Adjournment There being no further business to come before the Council, a motion was made by Councilman Arconti, seconded by Councilman Nero, to adjourn. The motion carried unanimously. The Mayor extended all committees, and the meeting adjourned at 8:45 PM. Respectfully submitted, Lori Goor Recording Secretary Attest, Mark D. Boughton, Mayor