City Council

CITY COUNCIL MEETING May 2, 2017 Honorable Mayor, Mark D. Boughton, called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND PRAYER The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Sean. Vinny DiGilio led all in prayer. ROLL CALL: COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Philip Curran, Christina Chieffalo, Mike Esposito, Warren Levy, Colleen Stanley, 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, and Nancy Cammisa. COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Joseph Scozzafava is out ill. 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  Jack Knapp, 1 Valley Stream Drive, Danbury, discussed the financial successes of the City and congratulated the City Council on their work on the budget.  Andrea Gartner, 112 Deer Hill Avenue, and 274 Main Street, Danbury, spoke in favor of Items 6. and 23.  Ann Riddle, Washington Avenue , Danbury, Park Avenue teacher, National Education Association Danbury Member, spoke in favor fulfilling full school budget request. ANNOUNCEMENTS Mayor Boughton made the announcements for the month of May. MINUTES - Minutes of the Council Meeting held April 4, 2017 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 copies are on file in the Legislative Assistant's office for review. The motion carried unanimously. CONSENT CALENDAR 2. COMMUNICATION - Appointment of Independent Auditors Receive the communication and confirm the appointment of RSM McGladrey as the City’s Independent Auditors and accounting firm for fiscal year ending June 30, 2017. 8. RESOLUTION - Land Acquisition and Easement - Reservoir Street Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing the Corporation Counsel of the City of Danbury to acquire the property interests in Tax Assessor’s Lot No. J19007 as set forth in the attached Schedules. 9. RESOLUTION - Union Savings Bank Foundation - Health Department Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing Mark D. Boughton, Mayor of the City of Danbury, or Lisa Morrissey, Director of Public Health, as his designee, to apply for and accept said funds as related to a $7,500 grant from the Union Savings Bank 2017 Foundation to be used for the City of Danbury’s Emergency Shelter operations. 10. 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 and accept said funding from the Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board through the State of Connecticut Department of Labor for a Youth Employment Program in an amount not to exceed $50,000 to cover programs from 7/1/17-8/31/17. The funds will be passed-through Danbury Youth Services to oversee and administer employment programs for the participants. 11. RESOLUTION - Leir Foundation Grant Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing Mark D. Boughton, Mayor of the City of Danbury, or Patrick Ridenhour, Chief of Police, as his designee, to apply for and accept said funding from the Leir Charitable Foundation related to the three proposals submitted by the City of Danbury Police Department with a maximum funding amount of $31,000. 12. RESOLUTION - Elderly and Demand Response Transit Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing Mayor Mark D. Boughton, or his designee, to negotiate and execute all necessary agreements or other documents as related to the State of Connecticut Department of Transportation matching grants for the enhanced regional municipal dial-a-ride transit service as operated in the area by the Housatonic Area Regional Transit System (HART), local match is met by the City’s annual allocation to HART in the adopted budget. 13. RESOLUTION - OPM Police and Youth Program Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing Mark D. Boughton, Mayor of the City of Danbury, or Patrick Ridenhour, Chief of Police, as his designee, to apply for and accept said funding as related to the State of Connecticut Office of Policy and Management "Police and Youth" grant program. The funding amount would not exceed $10,000 and will be used by the City of Danbury Police Department for art workshops in an effort to enhance positive relationships. 15. REPORTS - Partial release of Easement - Toll CT III - Reserve Road Receive the communication and approve the Request for Partial Release of Easement, Toll Brothers CT III Limited Partnership - Reserve Rd per the reports provided by Corporation Counsel, the Planning Commission, and the Director of Public Works. 16. REPORT - Neighbor Assistance Act - 2017 Receive the report from the 2017 Neighborhood Assistance Act Committee of the Whole and approve the recommendation to adopt the Resolution authorizing the approved list of agencies to apply for and receive funding in the form of a tax credit from the State of Connecticut through the Neighborhood Assistance Act. 19. REPORT & ORDINANCE - Charles Ives Authority, Change of Ordinance, section 13A - 56 Receive the report from the Charles Ives Authority, Change of Ordinance, Section 13A-56 Committee of the Whole and approve the recommendation to amend Chapter 13A, Sections 13A-56 through Section 13A- 60 to permit a change to the Fiscal Year Operation of the Charles Ives Authority Budget. 20. REPORT & ORDINANCE - Governmental Entities, section 2-176 Receive the report from the Governmental Entities, Code of Ordinance Section 2-176 Committee of the Whole and approve the recommendation of the re-establishment through June 30, 2021 of the Danbury Aquifer Protection Agency, the Charles Ives Authority for the Performing Arts, the Board of Ethics, the Fair Rent Commission, and the Commission for Persons with Disabilities. 22. AD HOC REPORT - Library Café Receive the report from the Library Caf‚ ad hoc committee and approve the recommendation to take no action. 23. AD HOC REPORT - Sidewalk Easement - 274 Main Street Coffee and Wine Bar Receive the report from the Sidewalk Easement - 274 Main Street (Pour Me Caf‚ & Wine Bar) ad hoc committee and approve the recommendation to approve the license request subject to the terms, conditions, and outstanding items as detailed within the report. A motion was made by Councilman DiGilio, seconded by Councilman Perkins, to accept the Consent Calendar. The motion carried unanimously. 1. COMMUNICATION - Appointments - Police Department A motion was made by Councilman Wetmore, seconded by Councilman Chianese, to receive the communication and confirm the appointment of Police Officers Michael Weaver and Brian Peloso, to the position of Police Officers in the City of Danbury Police Department. The motion carried unanimously. A motion was made by Councilman Chieffalo, seconded by Councilman Saadi, to receive the communication and confirm the appointment of Police Officers Charles Rodrigues and David Josefson, to the position of Police Officers in the City of Danbury Police Department. The motion carried unanimously. 2. COMMUNICATION - Appointment of Independent Auditors *CONSENTED - Receive the communication and confirm the appointment of RSM McGladrey as the City's Independent Auditors and accounting firm for fiscal year ending June 30, 2017. 3. COMMUNICATION - Donation to Police Department - Enhance a Colour A motion was made by Councilwoman Stanley, seconded by Councilman Wetmore, to receive the communication and accept the generous donation of combined goods, equipment, and services valued at $3,550 from Enhance a Colour to be used by the Danbury Police Department for the purposes of recruiting new Officers and send an appropriate letter of thanks. The motion carried unanimously. 4. COMMUNICATION - Donation to Police Department - HVCASA A motion was made by Councilman Priola, seconded by Councilman Fox, to receive the communication and accept the generous donation of a permanent prescription drug dropbox to be installed at Police Headquarters valued at $1,062 from the Housatonic Valley Coalition Against Substance Abuse (HVCASA) and send an appropriate letter of thanks. The motion carried unanimously. 5. COMMUNICATION - Donation to Park and Recreation Department - Westerners A motion was made by Councilman Arconti, seconded by Councilman Cavo, to receive the communication and accept the generous donation by the Danbury Westerners to purchase a new backstop net valued at $1,300 for the Rogers Park baseball field and send an appropriate letter of thanks. The motion carried unanimously. 6. COMMUNICATION - Downtown Danbury Sculpture Park The Council received answers to questions of sculpture ownership, rotation, fundraising, sponsorship, insurance, marketing, and the use of City property. It was noted the opening will be pushed back slightly. A motion was made by Councilman Wetmore, seconded by Councilman DiGilio, to receive the communication and approve the request from City Center Danbury for the Downtown Danbury Sculpture Park. The motion carried unanimously. 7. RESOLUTION - DECD SHPO/Octagon House Council received answers to questions regarding the outcome if the grant were not to come through. A motion was made by Councilman Cavo, seconded by Councilman DiGilio, to receive the communication and adopt the resolution authorizing the City of Danbury to accept grant funding from Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development State Historic Preservation Office for this phase of the rehabilitation of the Octagon House. The motion carried unanimously. 8. RESOLUTION - Land Acquisition and Easement - Reservoir Street *CONSENTED - Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing the Corporation Counsel of the City of Danbury to acquire the property interests in Tax Assessor's Lot No. J19007 as set forth in the attached Schedules. 9. RESOLUTION - Union Savings Bank Foundation - Health Department *CONSENTED - Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing Mark D. Boughton, Mayor of the City of Danbury, or Lisa Morrissey, Director of Public Health, as his designee, to apply for and accept said funds as related to a $7,500 grant from the Union Savings Bank 2017 Foundation to be used for the City of Danbury's Emergency Shelter operations. 10. 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 and accept said funding from the Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board through the State of Connecticut Department of Labor for a Youth Employment Program in an amount not to exceed $50,000 to cover programs from 7/1/17-8/31/17. The funds will be passed-through Danbury Youth Services to oversee and administer employment programs for the participants. 11. RESOLUTION - Leir Foundation Grant *CONSENTED - Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing Mark D. Boughton, Mayor of the City of Danbury, or Patrick Ridenhour, Chief of Police, as his designee, to apply for and accept said funding from the Leir Charitable Foundation related to the three proposals submitted by the City of Danbury Police Department with a maximum funding amount of $31,000. 12. RESOLUTION - Elderly and Demand Response Transit *CONSENTED - Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing Mayor Mark D. Boughton, or his designee, to negotiate and execute all necessary agreements or other documents as related to the State of Connecticut Department of Transportation matching grants for the enhanced regional municipal dial-a-ride transit service as operated in the area by the Housatonic Area Regional Transit System (HART), local match is met by the City's annual allocation to HART in the adopted budget. 13. RESOLUTION - OPM Police and Youth Program *CONSENTED - Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing Mark D. Boughton, Mayor of the City of Danbury, or Patrick Ridenhour, Chief of Police, as his designee, to apply for and accept said funding as related to the State of Connecticut Office of Policy and Management "Police and Youth" grant program. The funding amount would not exceed $10,000 and will be used by the City of Danbury Police Department for art workshops in an effort to enhance positive relationships. 14. RESOLUTION - BJA Mental Health Collaboration A motion was made by Councilman Mike Esposito, seconded by Councilman Saadi, to receive the the resolution and approve the request to accept funding from U.S. Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). The funding request will not exceed $375,000 and will cover a two-year period from October, 2017 to October, 2019. The BJA will provide $300,000 with the City contributing $75,000 over this two year period. The Police Department will be using this funding to collaborate with the Connecticut Institution for Communities to expand crisis intervention services. The motion carried unanimously. 15. REPORTS - Partial release of Easement - Toll CT III - Reserve Road *CONSENTED - Receive the communication and approve the Request for Partial Release of Easement, Toll Brothers CT III Limited Partnership - Reserve Rd per the reports provided by Corporation Counsel, the Planning Commission, and the Director of Public Works. 16. REPORT - Neighbor Assistance Act - 2017 *CONSENTED - Receive the report from the 2017 Neighborhood Assistance Act Committee of the Whole and approve the recommendation to adopt the Resolution authorizing the approved list of agencies to apply for and receive funding in the form of a tax credit from the State of Connecticut through the Neighborhood Assistance Act. 17. REPORT - Ordinance & Resolution - An ordinance making appropriations for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2017 and ending June 30, 2018 and a resolution levying the property tax for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2017 and ending June 30, 2018. A motion was made by Councilman Cavo, seconded by Councilman DiGilio, to waive the reading of all the Committee reports as all members have copies and copies are on file online and in the Legislative Assistant's office for review. The motion carried unanimously. A. General Government I Budget Report A motion was made by Councilman Seabury, seconded by Councilman Cavo, to adopt the resolution for General Government I Budget Report. The motion carried 15-5, Councilmembers Saadi, Visconti, John Esposito, Chianese, and Perkins voting no. B. General Government II Budget Report A motion was made by Councilman Wetmore, seconded by Councilman Seabury, to receive the General Government II Budget Report and adopt the Committee's recommendation. The motion carried 16-4, Councilmembers Saadi, Visconti, John Esposito, and Perkins voting no. C. Education Budget Report A motion was made by Councilman Levy, seconded by Councilman Wetmore, to receive the Report and adopt the Educational Budget for the year 2017 and 2018 as follows $208,575 for Health and Welfare, $214,000 for Headstart for a total of $128,658,575. The motion carried 18-2, Councilmembers Rotello and John Esposito voting no. D. Public Works Budget Report (Notation to be added that Joe Cavo was in attendance.) A motion was made by Councilwoman Stanley, seconded by Councilman Seabury, to receive the report and adopt the Committee's recommendations. The motion carried unanimously. E. Health & Housing, Public Safety, Welfare & Social Services Budget Reports It was noted the report shall be changed to reflect that Councilman Rotello (and John Priola) were regular, not Ex-Officio, members of the Committee. A motion was made by Councilwoman Chieffalo, seconded by Councilman Curran, to receive the Health & Housing, Public Safety, Welfare and Social Services report and adopt the recommendation made by the Committee. The motion carried unanimously. Councilmembers Saadi, Rotello, Cavo, and DiGilio commented on the budget. A motion was made by Councilman Cavo, seconded by Councilman DiGilio, to receive the communication and adopt the ordinance making the appropriations for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2017 and ending June 30, 2018 and adopting a resolution levying the property for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2017 and ending June 30, 2018. The motion carried 14-6, Councilmembers Saadi, Rotello, John Esposito, Visconti, Perkins, and Chianese voting no. 18. REPORT & ORDINANCE - An ordinance appropriating $3,000,000 for Public Improvements in the 2017- 2018 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 Cavo, seconded by Councilman Rotello, to receive the communication and adopt an Ordinance appropriating $3,000,000 for Public Improvements in the 2017-2018 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. The motion carried unanimously. 19. REPORT & ORDINANCE - Charles Ives Authority, Change of Ordinance, section 13A - 56 *CONSENTED - Receive the report from the Charles Ives Authority, Change of Ordinance, Section 13A-56 Committee of the Whole and approve the recommendation to amend Chapter 13A, Sections 13A-56 through Section 13A-60 to permit a change to the Fiscal Year Operation of the Charles Ives Authority Budget. 20. REPORT & ORDINANCE - Governmental Entities, section 2-176 *CONSENTED - Receive the report from the Governmental Entities, Code of Ordinance Section 2-176 Committee of the Whole and approve the recommendation of the re-establishment through June 30, 2021 of the Danbury Aquifer Protection Agency, the Charles Ives Authority for the Performing Arts, the Board of Ethics, the Fair Rent Commission, and the Commission for Persons with Disabilities. 21. AD HOC REPORT - Fund Balance 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. Mr. St. Hilaire responded to questions regarding emergency projects, vacation time, and pensions. A motion was made by Councilman Levy, seconded by Councilman Rotello, to receive the report and adopt the recommendations to appropriate $3.7 million from the Unappropriated Fund Balance to two separate Reserve Accounts as set forth in the Director of Finance's memorandum dated March 28, 2017: Item 1, $2 million for Unused Vacation Time and allow for Vacant Positions to be filled immediately; Item 2 $1.7 million for Capital Projects and Emergency Repairs as follows: $75,000 for ACE Elevator Repair, $325,000 Capital Fund for Emergency Projects Authorization by the Mayor, and $1.3 million Capital Projects as listed in the 2017/2018 Budget. The motion carried unanimously. 22. AD HOC REPORT - Library Café *CONSENTED - Receive the report from the Library Caf‚ ad hoc committee and approve the recommendation to take no action. 23. AD HOC REPORT - Sidewalk Easement - 274 Main Street Coffee and Wine Bar *CONSENTED - Receive the report from the Sidewalk Easement - 274 Main Street (Pour Me Caf‚ & Wine Bar) ad hoc committee and approve the recommendation to approve the license request subject to the terms, conditions, and outstanding items as detailed within the report. 24. DEPARTMENT REPORTS - Police, Fire, Health/Housing & Welfare, Dream Homes, Public Works, Permit Center, Unit, Elderly, Library Councilman Saadi commended Human Resources and the Deputy Police Chief on the recent Police Officer recruitment. Deputy Police Chief McColgan responded to Councilman Rotello's inquiry regarding the rise in assaults, noting reporting methods have changed affecting the numbers. Mr. Iadarola responded to Councilmembers Chianese's and Rotello's questions regarding Bridge repairs in relation to the residents of Lake Place. Ms. Alosco-Werner responded to Councilman Curran's questions regarding Police Officers' lateral moves. A motion was made by Councilman Cavo, and was seconded by Councilman Perkins, to waive the reading of the Departmental Reports as all members have copies and copies are on file in the Legislative Assistant's Office for review. No objections, so ordered. Mayor Boughton welcomed Former Councilman Jack Knapp. He congratulated Austin Calitro on being signed by the New York Jets. In addition, he commended staff and the Council on their work on the Budget. Mayor Boughton extended all committees. Councilman Cavo took from the table Item 3. from the April 4, 2017 Agenda, the Downtown Services District Tax Levy, and it was seconded. 3. RESOLUTION - Downtown Special Services District - Tax Levy A motion was made by Councilman DiGilio, and was seconded by Councilman Cavo, to receive the communication and adopt the resolution establishing the annual tax levy for the Downtown Special Services District in accordance with the provisions of Section 19 b-7 of the Danbury Code of Ordinances as provided to us at the April 4, 2017 City Council Meeting for the Fiscal Year beginning July 1, 2017 and ending June 30, 2018 for the proposed 2.33 mills tax rate. No objections, so ordered. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Councilman Saadi, and was seconded by Councilman Visconti, to adjourn the City Council Meeting. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Lori Goor Recording Secretary Attest, Mark D. Boughton, Mayor