City Council

CITY COUNCIL MEETING April 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 David St. Hilaire led all in the Pledge of Allegiance. Phil Curran led all in prayer. ROLL CALL: COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Philip Curran , Christina Chieffalo, Mike Esposito, Jack Knapp, Warren Levy, 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: Gregg Seabury was called in to work. PRESENT: 20, ABSENT: 1 ALSO PRESENT: Robert J. Yamin, Corporation Counsel; Les Pinter, Deputy Corporation Counsel; David St. Hilaire, Director of Finance; and Jean Natale, Legislative Assistant. PUBLIC SPEAKING  Norman Winnerman, 51 Lake Place North, Danbury, former Danbury High School Athletic Director, discussed High School expansion related to the fields.  Rich Adamski, 11 Ole Musket Lane, Danbury; discussed Danbury High School track resurfacing. BUDGET ADDRESS Mayor Boughton provided the City of Danbury proposed 2016-2017 Budget to the City Council and residents. ANNOUNCEMENTS Mayor Boughton made the announcements for the month of April. MINUTES - Minutes of the Council Meeting held March 1, 2016 A motion was made by Councilman Cavo and was 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: 8. COMMUNICATION - Appointments to the Commission on Aging Receive the communication and confirm the appointments of Evy Brescia and Danette Cinelli to serve as members and Kay Schreiber to serve as an alternate member of the City of Danbury Commission on Aging with terms to expire on April 1, 2019. 9. COMMUNICATION - Appointment to the Cultural Commission Receive the communication and confirm the appointment of Cheryl A. Hill to serve as a member of the Danbury Cultural Commission with a term to expire on April 1, 2019. 10. COMMUNICATION - Appointment to the Library Board of Directors Receive the communication and confirm the appointment of Jimmetta L. Samaha as a member of the Danbury Library Board of Directors with a term to expire on April 1, 2019. 17. RESOLUTION - Distracted Driver Grant - Police Department Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing Mayor Mark D. Boughton, or Chief Alan D. Baker as his designee, to apply for, accept grant funding, and execute such documents from the State of Connecticut Department of Transportation through its Distracted Driving High Visibility Enforcement Program. This total project amount is not to exceed $66,200 with a 75% State commitment of $49,650 and a required 25% City match of $16,550. 18. RESOLUTION - 2016 Neighborhood Assistance Act Receive the communication regarding the 2016 Neighborhood Assistance Act Resolution and refer the item to a public hearing as required by the State of Connecticut. 19. RESOLUTION - DOH Shelter Funding Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing Mayor Mark D. Boughton to apply for, accept funding, and execute all necessary documents related to the City of Danbury, Department of Health and Human Services grant funding from the State of CT Department of Housing for the emergency shelter. This funding request shall not exceed $116,068 with no local match being required. 20. RESOLUTION - LOCIP Application - Fire Department Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing Mayor Mark D. Boughton to apply for, accept funding, and execute such documents through the State of CT LoCIP program in the amount of $37,000 to be used for gutter replacement and roof repairs at the Fire Department’s Engine 26 station on Kenosia Avenue. 21. RESOLUTION - Danbury Airport - Additional Easements - Runway 8 Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing Mayor Mark D. Boughton and/or Paul D. Estefan, Airport Administrator, to apply to the Federal Aviation Administration to obtain grant funding for reimbursement for the cost of acquiring easements at Tax Assessor’s lots numbers D19007 and D19008, to obtain the real property appraisals, to appropriate the 2.5% of the total grant amount, if the grant is approved, to execute any necessary documents, and to take any additional actions necessary to effectuate the purposes thereof. 28. AD-HOC REPORT - Deferral of Assessment - Maplewood Healthcare - 2 Riverview Drive Receive the Ad Hoc Committee report regarding Maplewood Healthcare Deferral of Assessment Increase and take no action on this item as recommended. A motion was made by Councilman Knapp and seconded by Councilman Cavo, accept the Consent Calendar as presented. The motion carried unanimously. 1. ORDINANCE & RESOLUTION - An Ordinance Making Appropriations for the Fiscal Year Beginning July 1, 2016 and ending June 30, 2017 and a Resolution Levying the Property Tax for the Fiscal Year beginning July 1, 2016 and ending June 30, 2017 A motion was made by Councilman Cavo to refer to a Public Hearing. Hearing no objections, Mayor Boughton ordered the Public Hearing. 2. ORDINANCE - An Ordinance Appropriating $ 3,000,000 for Public Improvements in the 2016-2017 Capital Budget and Authorizing the Issuance of $ 3,000,000 Bonds of the City to Meet Said Appropriations and Pending the Issuance Thereof The Making of Temporary Borrowings For Such Purpose A motion was made by Councilman DiGilio to refer to a Public Hearing. Hearing no objections, Mayor Boughton ordered the Public Hearing. 3. ORDINANCE - Sewer Rates as of July 1, 2016 A motion was made by Councilman Knapp to refer to a Public Hearing and Committee of the Whole. Hearing no objections, Mayor Boughton ordered the Public Hearing. 4. ORDINANCE - Water Rates as of July 1, 2016 A motion was made by Councilman Knapp to refer to a Public Hearing and Committee of the Whole. Hearing no objections, Mayor Boughton ordered the Public Hearing. 5. RESOLUTION - Downtown Special Services District - Tax Levy A motion was made by Councilman Cavo and seconded by Councilman DiGilio to table. The motion carried unanimously. 6. COMMUNICATION - Appointment - Director of Veterans Affairs A motion was made by Councilman Arconti, seconded by Councilman Wetmore, to receive the communication and confirm the appointment of Danny Hayes as Veterans Services Officer of the Danbury Veterans Affairs Committee. The motion carried unanimously. 7. COMMUNICATION - Appointments to the Police Department A motion was made by Councilman Mike Esposito, seconded by Councilman Cavo, to receive the communication and approve the appointment of Matthew Martin to the position of Danbury Police Officer. The motion carried unanimously. A motion was made by Councilman Mike Esposito, seconded by Councilman Cavo, to receive the communication and approve the appointment of Timothy O'Conner to the position of Danbury Police Officer. The motion carried unanimously. A motion was made by Councilman Priola, seconded by Councilman Cavo, to receive the communication and confirm the appointment of Slade Mongelli to the position of Danbury Police Officer. The motion carried unanimously. A motion was made by Councilman Priola, seconded by Councilman Cavo, to receive the communication and confirm the appointment of Aaron Wolen to the position of Danbury Police Officer. The motion carried unanimously. 8. COMMUNICATION - Appointments to the Commission on Aging *CONSENTED - Receive the communication and confirm the appointments of Evy Brescia and Danette Cinelli to serve as members and Kay Schreiber to serve as an alternate member of the City of Danbury Commission on Aging with terms to expire on April 1, 2019. 9. COMMUNICATION - Appointment to the Cultural Commission *CONSENTED - Receive the communication and confirm the appointment of Cheryl A. Hill to serve as a member of the Danbury Cultural Commission with a term to expire on April 1, 2019. 10. COMMUNICATION - Appointment to the Library Bd. of Directors *CONSENTED - Receive the communication and confirm the appointment of Jimmetta L. Samaha as a member of the Danbury Library Board of Directors with a term to expire on April 1, 2019. 11. COMMUNICATION - Creation of the Danbury/Putnam County Partnership Taskforce A motion was made by Councilman Fox, to receive the communication and refer to an ad Hoc Committee consisting of Corporation Counsel, Mayor's Office, and the Office of Business Advocacy. Hearing no objections, Mayor Boughton ordered the Ad Hoc Committee with the following Councilmembers - Fox as Chair, Levy, and Chianese. 12. COMMUNICATION - Lease Candlewood Lake Concession A motion was made by Councilman Priola seconded by Councilman Wetmore, to receive the communication and approve the lease agreement for the Candlewood Lake Concession Stand for a period of 5 years with Mr. Luis Bautista. Motion carried unanimously. 13. COMMUNICATION - Affordable Housing Contract - 55 South Street - Star Landing Apartments A motion was made by Councilman Curran, to receive the communication and refer to an ad Hoc Committee consisting of Corporation Counsel, the Director of Public Health, and the Director of Planning. Hearing no objections, Mayor Boughton ordered the Ad Hoc Committee with the following Councilmembers - Priola as Chair, Palma, and Perkins. 14. COMMUNICATION - Donation to Emergency Shelter A motion was made by Councilwoman Chieffalo seconded by Councilman Mike Esposito, to receive the communication and accept the gracious donation received by Danbury's Emergency Evening Shelter and thank the students of Immaculate High School for their fundraising efforts in support of the donation. Motion carried unanimously. 15. COMMUNICATION - Richter Park - Cell Tower Agreement A motion was made by Councilman Knapp, to receive the communication and refer to an ad Hoc Committee consisting of Corporation Counsel, and a Representative of the Richter Park Department. Hearing no objections, Mayor Boughton ordered the Ad Hoc Committee with the following Councilmembers - Knapp as Chair, Curran, and Rotello. 16. RESOLUTION - WCCOG - Regional GIS Service Mayor Boughton, WCCOG GIS Manager Carl Zimmerman, and Mr. Palma responded to Mr. Rotello's request for further explanation of regional GIS service and Mr. Saadi's inquiries regarding grant specifics. A motion was made by Councilman Palma seconded by Councilman DiGilio, to receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing Danbury to join the other Western Connecticut Council of Governments in participating in the joint program for a shared service to obtain data acquisition for GIS service. Motion carried unanimously. 17. RESOLUTION - Distracted Driver Grant - Police Department *CONSENTED - Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing Mayor Mark D. Boughton, or Chief Alan D. Baker as his designee, to apply for, accept grant funding, and execute such documents from the State of Connecticut Department of Transportation through its Distracted Driving High Visibility Enforcement Program. This total project amount is not to exceed $66,200 with a 75% State commitment of $49,650 and a required 25% City match of $16,550. 18. RESOLUTION - 2016 Neighborhood Assistance Act *CONSENTED - Receive the communication regarding the 2016 Neighborhood Assistance Act Resolution and refer the item to a public hearing as required by the State of Connecticut. 19. RESOLUTION - DOH Shelter Funding *CONSENTED - Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing Mayor Mark D. Boughton to apply for, accept funding, and execute all necessary documents related to the City of Danbury, Department of Health and Human Services grant funding from the State of CT Department of Housing for the emergency shelter. This funding request shall not exceed $116,068 with no local match being required. 20. RESOLUTION - LOCIP Application - Fire Department *CONSENTED - Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing Mayor Mark D. Boughton to apply for, accept funding, and execute such documents through the State of CT LoCIP program in the amount of $37,000 to be used for gutter replacement and roof repairs at the Fire Department's Engine 26 station on Kenosia Avenue. 21. RESOLUTION - Danbury Airport - Additional Easements - Runway 8 *CONSENTED - Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing Mayor Mark D. Boughton and/or Paul D. Estefan, Airport Administrator, to apply to the Federal Aviation Administration to obtain grant funding for reimbursement for the cost of acquiring easements at Tax Assessor's lots numbers D19007 and D19008, to obtain the real property appraisals, to appropriate the 2.5% of the total grant amount, if the grant is approved, to execute any necessary documents, and to take any additional actions necessary to effectuate the purposes thereof. 22. REPORT & ORDINANCE - Neighborhood Preservation Zone - Code of Ordinance - Section 12-14.1 A motion was made by Councilman Cavo seconded by Councilman Saadi, to waive the reading of the Minutes. The motion carried unanimously. A motion was made by Councilman Cavo seconded by Councilman Visconti, to adopt the Ordinance - Neighborhood Preservation Zone Code of Ordinance Section 12-14.1 Neighborhood Preservation of Quality of Life Creation of Neighborhood Preservation Zone - NPZ. The motion carried unanimously. 23. REPORT & ORDINANCE - Regulation Of Noise - Code of Ordinance - Section 12-14 A motion was made by Councilman Cavo seconded by Councilman DiGilio, to waive the reading of the Minutes as all members have copies and copies are on file in the Legislative Assistant's Office for review. The motion carried unanimously. A motion was made by Christopher Arconti, seconded by Fred Visconti, to receive the report and adopt the City of Danbury Code of Ordinance Section 12-14 Regulation of Noise as amended effective upon approval of the Connecticut DEEP in accordance with law. The motion carried unanimously. 24. AD-HOC REPORT & ORDINANCE - Water and Sewer Connections Charges - Sections 16-4 and 21- 48 A motion was made by Councilman Curran to refer to a Public Hearing. Hearing no objections, Mayor Boughton so ordered. 25. AD HOC REPORT & ORDINANCE - Sewer Ordinance - Section 16-32 A motion was made by Councilman Scozzafava to refer to a Public Hearing. Hearing no objections, Mayor Boughton so ordered. 26. AD HOC REPORT & ORDINANCE - Awards by Purchasing Agent - Section 2-148 A motion was made by Councilman Wetmore to refer to a Public Hearing. Hearing no objections, Mayor Boughton so ordered. 27. AD HOC REPORT & ORDINANCE - Increase Sealed Bid Threshold Code 2-146 and 147 A motion was made by Councilwoman Cammisa to refer to a Public Hearing. Hearing no objections, Mayor Boughton so ordered. 28. AD-HOC REPORT- Deferral of Assessment - Maplewood Healthcare - 2 Riverview Drive *CONSENTED - Receive the Ad Hoc Committee report regarding Maplewood Healthcare Deferral of Assessment Increase and take no action on this item as recommended. 29. 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 Perkins, 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. Hearing no objections, so ordered. On behalf of the Council, Mayor Boughton congratulated Mark Cammisa on his induction into the Connecticut Chapter of the National Wresting Hall of Fame. Mayor Boughton noted Budget Committees for 2016 shall be as follows: General Government 1 - Seabury/Chair, Cavo, Cammisa, Saadi, Perkins General Government 2 - Wetmore/Chair, Arconti, Cavo, Palma, and John Esposito Public Works - Knapp/Chair, Curran, DiGilio, Mike Esposito, and Chianese Health, Housing, and Public Safety - Curran/Chair, Knapp, Chieffalo, Priola, and Rotello Education - Warren Levy/Chair, Scozzafava, Seabury, Fox, and Visconti There will be a Budget Workshop next week. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Council, a motion was made by Councilman Rotello, seconded by Councilwoman Cammisa, to adjourn. The motion carried unanimously. The Mayor extended all committees. The meeting adjourned at 8:52 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Lori Goor Recording Secretary Attest, Mark D. Boughton, Mayor