City Council

CITY COUNCIL MEETING September 7, 2016 Honorable Mayor, Mark D. Boughton, called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE & PRAYER Les Pinter led all in the Pledge of Allegiance. Philip Curran led all in prayer. ROLL CALL COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Philip Curran, Christina Chieffalo, Mike Esposito, Colleen Stanley, Warren Levy, Andrew Wetmore, John Priola, Vinny DiGilio, Joseph Cavo, Thomas Saadi, Fred Visconti, Christopher Arconti, John Esposito, Duane Perkins, Ben Chianese, Paul Rotello, and Nancy Cammisa. COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Gregg Seabury is at a family event; Irving Fox and Elmer Palma are working; and Joseph Scozzafava is ill. PRESENT: 17, ABSENT: 4 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 - None. ANNOUNCEMENTS Mayor Boughton made the announcements for the month of September. MINUTES - Minutes of the Council Meeting held August 2, 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: 2. COMMUNICATION - Appointment to the Environmental Impact Commission Receive the communication and confirm the appointment of Dennis Macauley to serve on the Environmental Impact Commission. 3. COMMUNICATION - Appointment to the Danbury Museum Authority Receive the communication and confirm the appointment of Eric L. Gottschalk to serve as a member of the Danbury Museum Authority. 4. COMMUNICATION - Appointment to the Tarrywile Park Authority Receive the communication and confirm the appointments of Carolyn Sistrunk and Eleanor L. Doto to serve as members of the Tarrywile Park Authority. 7. COMMUNICATION - Donation to Homeless Shelter Operation from HACD Receive the communication and accept the generous donation of $5,000.00 from the Housing Authority of the City of Danbury to the City Homeless Shelter. 8. RESOLUTION - DPH Grant – Lead Prevention Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution allowing the City of Danbury Health and Human Services Department to apply for and accept grant funding for a Lead Poisoning prevention program through the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health. 9. RESOLUTION - DOH Shelter Funding Extension Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution allowing the City of Danbury Health and Human Services Department to accept an extension in time and additional grant funding for the existing contract relating to the City’s emergency shelter through the State of Connecticut Department of Housing. 10. RESOLUTION - EMPG Performance Grant 2016-2017 Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution allowing the City of Danbury to apply for and accept grant funding under the Federal Emergency Management Performance Grant program through the State Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security. A motion was made by Councilman Cavo and seconded by Councilman Perkins, accept the Consent Calendar as presented. The motion carried unanimously. 1. COMMUNICATION – Promotion – Danbury Fire Department A motion was made by Councilman Mike Esposito, seconded by Councilman Chianese, to accept the recommendation, confirmation, and appointment of Firefighter Douglas Zaniewski to the position of Fire Lieutenant. The motion carried unanimously. 2. COMMUNICATION - Appointment to the Environmental Impact Commission *CONSENTED - Receive the communication and confirm the appointment of Dennis Macauley to serve on the Environmental Impact Commission. 3. COMMUNICATION - Appointment to the Danbury Museum Authority *CONSENTED - Receive the communication and confirm the appointment of Eric L. Gottschalk to serve as a member of the Danbury Museum Authority. 4. COMMUNICATION - Appointment to the Tarrywile Park Authority *CONSENTED - Receive the communication and confirm the appointments of Carolyn Sistrunk and Eleanor L. Doto to serve as members of the Tarrywile Park Authority. 5. COMMUNICATION - Chow House – Farrington Property A motion was made by Councilwoman Stanley to refer to an Ad Hoc consisting of Corporation Counsel, Director of Parks and Rec, Director of Public Buildings, and the Petitioner. Hearing no objections, Mayor Boughton ordered the Ad Hoc Committee with the following Councilmembers - DiGilio as Chair, Stanley, and Visconti. 6. COMMUNICATION - Permission to Dispose of Surplus Vehicles and Equipment A motion was made by Councilwoman Chieffalo, seconded by Councilwoman Stanley, to receive the communication and grant permission requesting to dispose of surplus City vehicles and equipment via public auction. The motion carried unanimously. 7. COMMUNICATION - Donation to Homeless Shelter Operation from HACD *CONSENTED - Receive the communication and accept the generous donation of $5,000.00 from the Housing Authority of the City of Danbury to the City Homeless Shelter. 8. RESOLUTION - DPH Grant – Lead Prevention *CONSENTED - Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution allowing the City of Danbury Health and Human Services Department to apply for and accept grant funding for a Lead Poisoning prevention program through the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health. 9. RESOLUTION - DOH Shelter Funding Extension *CONSENTED - Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution allowing the City of Danbury Health and Human Services Department to accept an extension in time and additional grant funding for the existing contract relating to the City's emergency shelter through the State of Connecticut Department of Housing. 10. RESOLUTION - EMPG Performance Grant 2016-2017 *CONSENTED - Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution allowing the City of Danbury to apply for and accept grant funding under the Federal Emergency Management Performance Grant program through the State Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security. 11. DEPARTMENT REPORTS – Police, Fire, Health-Housing & Welfare, Public Works, Permit Center, UNIT. Elderly, Library, Dream Homes Councilman Saadi commended the Police Department for the 14% reduction in the Uniform Crime, a reduction in traffic accidents, and an increase in traffic enforcement. He also commended the Fire Department on the completion of the new training facility, the gate built with assistance from Public Works and Engineering, and the training and updating in highway accident response. Councilman Perkins requested Mayor Boughton discuss a summary ruling regarding equitable education and thanked him for his work. Mayor Boughton commented on the 265 page ruling, with Danbury as the lead plaintiff, which started 11 years ago against the State. The ruling was basically an indictment of the current system with regard to public education. It requires a correction to the financing and school construction system, a teacher evaluation method, a high school graduation exit exam, a definition of elementary education with a third grade measurement, and a new ECS formula from the State. He commented on teacher merit pay as well. Councilman Rotello inquired regarding ways to fix the education issue such as through a Board of Regents-style independent body. Mayor Boughton indicated the Judge may not be adverse to using the power of a Court Order and gave 180 days to return with plans. Councilman Levy inquired on how this impacts the State being an equal partner in education. Mayor Boughton noted the Judge's comments on case law citing that it is the State's responsibility. Councilman Visconti thanked Nick Kaplanis, Danbury Police Department, and the Mayor's Office staff for taking care of Roger's Park area issues; David Day for answering sewer and water billing questions; and Police Chief Ridenhour and Sgt. Rory DeRocco for speaking at the Long Ridge Road Meet and Greet. A motion was made by Councilman Cavo, and was 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. Mayor Boughton thanked City Engineer Farid Khouri for all his work, noting he is leaving pending retirement after 30 years of service. Mayor Boughton replaced Jack Knapp with John Priola on the Volunteer Fire Department Committee as relates to Item 6 from August 13th. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Councilman Saadi, and was seconded by Councilman Esposito, to adjourn the City Council Meeting. Motion carried unanimously. There being no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Boughton adjourned the meeting and extended all committees. The meeting adjourned at 8:01 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Lori Goor Recording Secretary Attest, Mark D. Boughton, Mayor