City Council

CITY COUNCIL MEETING May 3, 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. Vinny DiGilio led all in prayer. ROLL CALL: COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Philip Curran, Christina Chieffalo, Mike Esposito, Jack Knapp, Warren Levy, Gregg Seabury, 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: Robert J. Yamin, Corporation Counsel; Les Pinter, Deputy Corporation Counsel; David St. Hilaire, Director of Finance; Jean Natale, Legislative Assistant; and Paul Estefan, Airport Administrator. PUBLIC SPEAKING  Jim Maloney, 15 Wooster Heights, Danbury, Connecticut Institute for Communities CEO sponsoring HeadStart, supports Item 6. with the exception of 6.C. Education Budget as relates to HeadStart cuts.  Rich Holmes, 8 Bear Mountain Road, Danbury, Teacher, discussed Item 6.C. expressing support for Dr. Pascarella's original Education Budget. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Mayor Boughton made the announcements for the month of May. MINUTES - Minutes of the Council Meeting held April 5, 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 Seabury read the Consent Calendar as follows: 1. COMMUNICATION - Appointment to the Danbury Museum Board of Directors Receive the communication and confirm the appointment of Dr. John B. Clark to serve as member of the Danbury Museum Board of Directors with a term to expire on May 1, 2019. 3. RESOLUTION - NRWIB - Youth Employment Funding Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing Mark D. Boughton, Mayor of the City of Danbury, to apply for, accept funding, and execute such contracts or documents from the Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board funding opportunity through the State of Connecticut Department of Labor for Youth Employment Program, covering programs from July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017 in an amount not to exceed $87,000. 5. REPORT - Water Extension - Maplewood Health Care - 2 Riverview Drive Receive the reports from the Planning Commission and City Engineer and approve the request for a water main extension for a proposed fire hydrant to serve 2 Riverview Drive (Tax Assessor’s Lot No. M08011), subject to the standard eight steps required by the City Engineer’s Office with all applicable documents received in acceptable form and content to the Office of Corporation Counsel. A motion was made by Councilman DiGilio and seconded by Councilman Knapp, accept the Consent Calendar as presented. The motion carried unanimously. 1. COMMUNICATION - Appointment to the Danbury Museum Board of Directors *CONSENTED - Receive the communication and confirm the appointment of Dr. John B. Clark to serve as member of the Danbury Museum Board of Directors with a term to expire on May 1, 2019. 2. RESOLUTION - Lease - Danbury Hospital - Antennas, Transmitters, Receivers A motion was made by Councilman Knapp seconded by Councilman Mike Esposito, to receive the Communication and adopt the Resolution as requested by Danbury Fire Department Chief T.J. Wiedl, allowing the City of Danbury to maintain antennas and related lines, transmitters and receivers, and associated equipment at the Danbury Hospital. Motion carried unanimously. 3. RESOLUTION - NRWIB - Youth Employment Funding *CONSENTED - Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing Mark D. Boughton, Mayor of the City of Danbury, to apply for, accept funding, and execute such contracts or documents from the Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board funding opportunity through the State of Connecticut Department of Labor for Youth Employment Program, covering programs from July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017 in an amount not to exceed $87,000. 4. RESOLUTION - Update - Runway 080 - Danbury Airport Mr. Estefan and Mr. St. Hilaire responded to questions from Councilmen Saadi and Visconti regarding easements, and purchasing, grant, and estimates. Mr. Boughton responded to Mr. Rotello regarding up-front monies and eminent domain language. A motion was made by Councilman Scozzafava seconded by Councilman Saadi, to adopt the Resolution. Motion carried unanimously. 5. REPORT - Water Extension - Maplewood Health Care - 2 Riverview Drive *CONSENTED - Receive the reports from the Planning Commission and City Engineer and approve the request for a water main extension for a proposed fire hydrant to serve 2 Riverview Drive (Tax Assessor's Lot No. M08011), subject to the standard eight steps required by the City Engineer's Office with all applicable documents received in acceptable form and content to the Office of Corporation Counsel. 6. REPORT - 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 seconded by Councilman Wetmore to waive the reading of the reports. Motion carried unanimously. A. General Government I Budget Report Mr. Saadi commented on public policy, ways and means, and interests of the City as relates to the budget and thanked the Council, Mayor, and staff for their work on the budget process. Mr. St. Hilaire and Mr. Boughton responded to Mr. Chianese regarding timing of the elected Registrar's pay increase, and the Mayor stated that the increase of 2.75 would be effective Jan and July of next year. A motion was made by Councilman Seabury seconded by Councilman Knapp, to adopt the General Government I Budget Report. Motion carried 16-5, Councilmen Saadi, Visconti, John Esposito, Rotello, and Chianese voting no. B. General Government II Budget Report Mr. John Esposito requested on Page 6B-2 (Minutes vote) that 'Mike Esposito' be replaced with 'John Esposito.' A motion was made by Councilman Wetmore seconded by Councilman Cavo, to adopt the General Government II Budget Report. Motion carried 17-4, Councilmen Saadi, Visconti, John Esposito, and Rotello voting no. C. Education Budget Report Mr. Visconti expressed hope that the $250,000 cut gets restored. Mr. Boughton responded to Mr. Perkins that the funds referred to are Alliance District monies that goes to the Board of Education, not to the City. Mr. Saadi commented on HeadStart funds and Board of Education funding. Mr. Fox thanked Mr. Martino, Dr. Pascarella, and the Board for their work on the budget and noted State funding issues. Mr. Levy commented on the Education Budget increase; support and commitment to the HeadStart Program; and that 51.7% of the budget is going toward Education. A motion was made by Councilman Levy seconded by Councilman Fox, to adopt the Education Budget for the year 2016/17 for $125,986,000 for Board of Education; $208,575 for Health and Welfare; and $214,000 for HeadStart. Motion carried 20-1, Councilman Rotello voting no. D. Public Works Budget Report A motion was made by Councilman Knapp seconded by Councilman DiGilio, to receive the Ad Hoc Report and adopt the Public Works Budget for the Fiscal Year 2016/17 as proposed by the Mayor at $35,489,145. Motion carried 19-2, Councilmen Rotello and Perkins voting no. E. Health & Housing, Public Safety, Welfare & Social Services Budget Report Mr. Rotello thanked the Police Chief Al Baker and staff for their work on the budget noting items to work on are overtime and ambulance service on the Westside. A motion was made by Councilman Curran seconded by Councilman Rotello, to accept the Mayor's Budget as presented for the Health & Housing, Public Safety, Welfare & Social Services for $40,726,669. Motion carried 20-1, Councilman Perkins voting no. A motion was made by Councilman Cavo seconded by Councilman Wetmore, to adopt the Ordinance and Resolution making appropriations for the Fiscal Year beginning July 1, 2016 and ending June 30, 2017 and adopt the Resolution levying the Property Tax for the Fiscal Year beginning July 1, 2016 and ending June 30, 2017. Motion carried 15-6, Saadi, Visconti, John Esposito, Perkins, Chianese, and Rotello voting no. 7. REPORT & 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 seconded by Councilman Cavo, to receive the Communication and recommend adoption the Ordinance for $3,000,000 for Public Improvements and the Issuance of the $3,000,000 worth of Bonds of the City of Danbury to meet said obligations and to make temporary borrowings for such purpose as indicated in the report. Motion carried unanimously. 8. REPORT & ORDINANCE - Sewer Rates as of July 1, 2016 Mr. St. Hilaire responded to Mr. Rotello's questions regarding the last rate increase and timing of implementation of increases. A motion was made by Councilman Wetmore seconded by Councilman Cavo, to receive the Report and adopt the amended Ordinance as presented. Motion carried unanimously. 9. REPORT & ORDINANCE - Water Rates as of July 1, 2016 A motion was made by Councilman Priola seconded by Councilman DiGilio, to receive the Report and adopt the Ordinance rate adjustments as set forth in the Code of Ordinance as specified. Motion carried 16-5, Councilmen Saadi, John Esposito, Perkins, Chianese, and Rotello voting no. A motion was made by Councilman Cavo seconded by Councilman Saadi, to take from the table Item 5. Downtown Special Services District Tax Levy. Motion carried unanimously. 5. RESOLUTION - Downtown Special Services District - Tax Levy A motion was made by Councilman Cavo seconded by Councilman Saadi, to approve and adopt the Resolution establishing an annual tax levy for the Downtown Special Services District in accordance with the provisions of Section 19B-7 of the Danbury Code of Ordinances. Motion carried unanimously. 10. DEPARTMENT REPORTS – Police, Fire, Health-Housing & Welfare, Public Works, Permit, UNIT, Elderly Services, Library Mr. Visconti thanked the Public Works Department for their work on Mountain View Avenue. A motion was made by Councilman Cavo, seconded by Councilman Fox, 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. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Council, a motion was made by Councilman John Esposito, seconded by Councilwoman Cammisa, to adjourn. The motion carried unanimously. The Mayor extended all committees and thanked the Council, Mr. St. Hilaire, Mr. Pinter, Mr. Garrick, Department Heads, and Finance Department staff for their work on the budget. The meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Lori Goor Recording Secretary Attest, Mark D. Boughton, Mayor