City Council

CITY COUNCIL MEETING January 5, 2016 Honorable Mayor, Mark D. Boughton, called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE & PRAYER Warren Levy led all in the Pledge of Allegiance. Vinny DiGilio led all in prayer. ROLL CALL: COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Philip Curran, Mike Esposito, Jack Knapp, Warren Levy, Gregg Seabury, Christina Chieffalo, Andrew Wetmore, Irving Fox, John Priola, Vinny DiGilio, Joseph Cavo, Thomas Saadi, Fred Visconti, Elmer Palma, Christopher Arconti, John Esposito, Duane Perkins, Ben Chianese, Paul Rotello, Nancy Cammisa, and Joseph Scozzafava. COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: None. PRESENT: 21, ABSENT: 0 ALSO PRESENT: Les Pinter, Deputy Corporation Counsel; Dan Garrick, Assistant Director of Finance; Alan Baker, Chief of Police; TJ Wiedl, Fire Chief; Antonio Iadarola, Director of Public Works; Paul Estefan, Airport Administrator; and Jean Natale, Legislative Assistant. PUBLIC SPEAKING - None. ANNOUNCEMENTS Mayor Boughton made the announcements for the month of January. MINUTES-Minutes of the Council Meeting held August 4, 2015 A motion was made by Councilman Cavo and seconded by Councilman Perkins, to waive the reading and accept the minutes, as all members have copies and additional copies are available in the office of the Legislative Assistant. The motion carried unanimously. CONSENT CALENDAR Councilman DiGilio read the Consent Calendar as follows: 4. COMMUNICATION-Appointment to the Planning Commission Receive the communication and confirm the appointment of Kevin Haas to serve as a Member of the Planning Commission with a term to expire November 1, 2018. 5. COMMUNICATION-Appointment to the Cultural Commission Receive the communication and confirm the appointment of John F. Cooke II to serve as a Member of the Cultural Commission with a term to expire November 1, 2018. 7. COMMUNICATION-Donation - Commercial Projector / Bulbs Receive the communication and accept the donation from Mr. Anthony Pezzimenti to the City of Danbury of a high definition commercial projector and spare bulbs. A letter of appreciation for this generous donation will be sent. 14. RESOLUTION - FEMA - Assistance for Firefighters Grant Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution that will allow the City of Danbury Fire Department to apply for and accept funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) through its FY2015 Assistance to Firefighters’ Grant Program. This funding request will not exceed $1,000,000 with FEMA’s share of the request being 90%, or $900,000, and the City’s share being 10%, or $100,000. 15. RESOLUTION - EMPG Performance Grant Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution for the “Emergency Management Performance Grant” program for the period October 1, 2015 to September 30, 2016 authorizing Mayor Mark D. Boughton, or his designee Paul D. Estefan, Director of Civil Preparedness to apply for and accept grant funding for the Emergency Operation Center (EOC) not to exceed $50,000. A motion was made by Councilman DiGilio and seconded by Councilman Perkins, to accept the Consent Calendar as presented. The motion carried unanimously. 1. COMMUNICATION-Appointment of Fire Inspector/Deputy Fire Marshal A motion was made by Councilman Curran, seconded by Councilman Cavo, to accept the communication and approve the promotion of Firefighter Terence Timan to the position of Fire Inspector/Deputy Fire Marshal in the City of Danbury Fire Department. The motion carried unanimously. 2. COMMUNICATION-Appointments to the Police Department A motion was made by Councilman Priola, seconded by Councilman Saadi, to accept the communication and confirm John Shelcom to the position of Police Officer. The motion carried unanimously. A motion was made by Councilman Priola, seconded by Councilman Chianese, to accept the communication and confirm Michael Darby to the position of Police Officer. The motion carried unanimously. 3. COMMUNICATION-Appointment of Chief of Staff - Mayor’s Office A motion was made by Councilman Arconti, seconded by Councilman Seabury, to receive the communication and confirm the appointment of Dean Esposito to the position of Mayor's Office Chief of Staff. The motion carried unanimously. 4. COMMUNICATION-Appointment to the Planning Commission *CONSENTED - Receive the communication and confirm the appointment of Kevin Haas to serve as a Member of the Planning Commission with a term to expire November 1, 2018. 5. COMMUNICATION-Appointment to the Cultural Commission *CONSENTED - Receive the communication and confirm the appointment of John F. Cooke II to serve as a Member of the Cultural Commission with a term to expire November 1, 2018. 6. COMMUNICATION-Non Union Pension Amendment/Release Option A motion was made by Councilman Fox to receive the communication and refer to an Ad Hoc consisting of the Director of the Finance, a Representative from the Mayor's Office, and Corporation Counsel. Hearing no objections, Mayor Boughton ordered the Ad Hoc Committee with the following Councilmembers - Fox as Chair, DiGilio, and Visconti. 7. COMMUNICATION-Donation - Commercial Projector / Bulbs *CONSENTED - Receive the communication and accept the donation from Mr. Anthony Pezzimenti to the City of Danbury of a high definition commercial projector and spare bulbs. A letter of appreciation for this generous donation will be sent. 8. COMMUNICATION-Extension of Collective Bargaining Agreement between City and Fire Union, Local 801 Councilmembers Cavo, Esposito, Curran, and Visconti recused themselves and left the dais at 7:48 p.m. Mr. Boughton responded to Mr. Saadi's questions stating the Union has ratified the contract, noting the vote results, as well as the source and date of the retroactive funds. A motion was made by Councilman Knapp, seconded by Councilman DiGilio, to receive the communication and authorize the funding for the two-year extension of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the City of Danbury and the Fire Union, Local 801 AFF AFL/CIO from July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2017. The motion carried 17-0, Councilmembers Cavo, Esposito, Curran, and Visconti were recused. Councilmembers Cavo, Esposito, Curran, and Visconti returned to the dais at 7:43 p.m. 9. COMMUNICATION-Awards by Purchasing Agent, code of Ordinance, Section 2-148 A motion was made by Councilman Arconti to receive the communication and refer to an Ad Hoc consisting of Purchasing Agent, Director of the Finance, and Corporation Counsel. Hearing no objections, Mayor Boughton ordered the Ad Hoc Committee with the following Councilmembers - Arconti as Chair, Priola, and Chianese. 10. COMMUNICATION-Water and Sewer Connection Charges, Section 16-4 and 21-48 A motion was made by Councilwoman Chieffalo to receive the communication and refer the matter of Water and Sewer Code Amendment to an Ad Hoc consisting of Corporation Counsel, the Department of Public Works and Public Utilities, and the Director of the Finance. Hearing no objections, Mayor Boughton ordered the Ad Hoc Committee with the following Councilmembers - Curran as Chair, Priola, and Chianese. 11. COMMUNICATION-Master State/ Municipality Agreement for the Readjustment, Relocation and /or Removal of Municipal Facilities on Highway Projects A motion was made by Councilman Cavo, seconded by Councilman Seabury, to receive the communication and adopt the Resolution to sign the Agreement entitled, Master Agreement Between the State of Connecticut Department of Transportation and the City of Danbury for the Readjustment, Relocation and/or Removal of Utility Facilities on Highway Projects. The motion carried unanimously. In response to Mr. Rotello's inquiry, Mr. Pinter outlined the difference between the way this is being done now vs. the way it will be done from now on. 12. COMMUNICATION-Request to Purchase City Property (North St.) A motion was made by Councilman DiGilio to receive the communication and refer the request to Planning, the City Engineer, Corporation Counsel, and the Tax Assessor's Offices for reports. Hearing no objections, Mayor Boughton so ordered. 13. RESOLUTION - Refunding of General Obligation Bonds A motion was made by Councilwoman Cammisa, seconded by Councilman Knapp, to receive the communication and adopt the resolution authorizing the Mayor and the City Treasurer to refund current General Obligation Bonds not-to-exceed $15 million if bond rates will be financially favorable and in the best interest of the City of Danbury. The motion carried unanimously. Councilman Saadi received confirmation for the record, that the City has done this many times in the past; the bond authorization refunds expire; and they are for different amounts. 14. RESOLUTION - FEMA - Assistance for Firefighters Grant *CONSENTED - Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution that will allow the City of Danbury Fire Department to apply for and accept funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) through its FY2015 Assistance to Firefighters’ Grant Program. This funding request will not exceed $1,000,000 with FEMA’s share of the request being 90%, or $900,000, and the City’s share being 10%, or $100,000. 15. RESOLUTION - EMPG Performance Grant *CONSENTED - Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution for the “Emergency Management Performance Grant” program for the period October 1, 2015 to September 30, 2016 authorizing Mayor Mark D. Boughton, or his designee Paul D. Estefan, Director of Civil Preparedness to apply for and accept grant funding for the Emergency Operation Center (EOC) not to exceed $50,000. 16. RESOLUTION - FAA Grant - Runway 8 A motion was made by Councilman Levy, seconded by Councilman DiGilio, to receive the communication, adopt the Resolution between Danbury and the State of Connecticut, that the City Council authorize Mayor Mark D. Boughton and/or Paul D. Estefan, Airport Administrator, to apply to Federal Aviation Administration to obtain grant funding for reimbursement for the cost of acquiring the mentioned real properties, to obtain the real property appraisals as are necessary, file the grant application, to appropriate the 2.5% of the total grant amount, if the grant is approved, to execute any of the necessary documents, and to take any additional actions necessary to effectuate the purpose hereof. The motion carried unanimously. Mr. Pinter responded to Mr. Rotello's questions regarding the time it may take to get the easements. Mr. Estefan responded to Mr. Rotello's questions regarding the operators costs due to relocation during inclement weather. FAA rule changes were discussed. He also responded to Mr. Visconti's inquiry regarding Reliant, the FAA rules, and poles vs. trees. In addition, Mr. Saadi received answers regarding rule changes related to the flight 'feather,' trees, and Part 135 Certificate rules. 17. DEPARTMENT REPORTS - Police, Health-Housing & Welfare, Dream Homes, Public Works, Permit Center, Unit, Elderly, Library, Board of Ethics A motion was made by Councilman Cavo, and was seconded, 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. Mr. DiGilio thanked Public Works for their preparedness during recent inclement weather. Mr. Perkins thanked Mr. Iadarola's team for getting the paving repair work done at Brushy Hill, the granite posts addressed at Elmwood, and inquired whether Materialite is a pre-treatment. Mr. Baker responded to Mr. Saadi regarding effective strength estimates. 18. Algonquin Gas Transmission Line, Algonquin Incremental Market Spectra Energy Partners City Property 46 Periphery Road, Danbury, Connecticut A motion was made by Councilman Cavo, seconded by Councilman Saadi, to add Item 18. Algonquin Gas Transmission Line, Algonquin Incremental Market Spectra Energy Partners City Property 46 Periphery Road, Danbury, Connecticut to the Agenda. Motion carried unanimously. A motion was made by Councilman Cavo to refer Item 18. to an Ad Hoc consisting of the Director of the Public Works, the Director of Planning, and a Representative from the Mayor's Office, and Corporation Counsel. Hearing no objections, Mayor Boughton ordered the Ad Hoc Committee with the following Councilmembers - Chieffalo, Cavo, and J. Esposito. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Council, a motion was made by Councilman Levy, seconded by Councilman John Seabury, to adjourn. The motion carried unanimously. The Mayor extended all committees, and the meeting adjourned at 8:28 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Lori Goor Recording Secretary Attest, Mark D. Boughton, Mayor