City Council

CITY COUNCIL MEETING June 6, 2017 Honorable Mayor, Mark D. Boughton, called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE & PRAYER The Pledge of Allegiance was led by . Phil Curran led all in prayer. ROLL CALL: COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Philip Curran, Mike Esposito, Warren Levy, Colleen Stanley, Gregg Seabury, Andrew Wetmore, Irving Fox, John Priola, Vinny DiGilio, Joseph Cavo, Thomas Saadi, Fred Visconti, Christopher Arconti, John Esposito, Duane Perkins, Ben Chianese, Paul Rotello, Nancy Cammisa, and Joseph Scozzafava. COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Christina Chieffalo was out ill. and Gregg Seabury was out of town. Elmer Palma was unable to attend. PRESENT: 18, ABSENT: 3 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 _____, Danbury, discussed Item 16. Glori Norwitt, Women's Center Chairman of the Board, did not speak, but indicated support for Item 16. Dave Fine, Danbury, spoke in support of Items 6, 10, and 12, discussed Item 11, and the Ride of Silence. Mr. Casagrande, Outside Assistant Council for the City of Danbury with Cramer & Anderson Law Firm, supports Item 6, in memory of David Burke. ANNOUNCEMENTS Mayor Boughton made the announcements and special presentations for the month of June. MINUTES - Minutes of the Council Meeting held May 2, 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 1. COMMUNICATION - Appointment to Lake Kenosia Commission Receive the communication and confirm the appointment of Theresa Keeler to the Lake Kenosia Commission with a term to expire 6/5/2020. 3. COMMUNICATION - Appropriation to Ambulance Fund Receive the communication and approve the request for the additional appropriation of $158,000 to the Ambulance Fund Budget due to the increased volume. 5. COMMUNICATION - Plumtrees Road-Right of Way & Discontinuance of Road Receive the communication and approve the request to 1) Approve the new right of way limits for the portion of Plumtrees road that was realigned. 2) Approve the discontinuance of the portion of the former Plumtrees Road right of way no longer in use, and 3) authorize the Tax Assessor to combine the portion of the former Plumtrees Road right of way and the remainder of Tax Assessor’s Lot L12014 with Tax Assessor’s Lot M12003 as detailed in the letter provided by the Director of Public Works/Acting City Engineer. 8. RESOLUTION - Application for Funds - Octagon House Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing Mark D. Boughton, Mayor of the City of Danbury, to sign any documents necessary to effectuate the grant available through the Certified Local Government Historic Preservation Enhancement Grant Program to help cover the costs for preparation of architectural plans and specifications for the reuse of the historic Octagon House. The proposed grant is for $20,000 with a match from the City being required for a total project amount of $40,000. 10. RESOLUTION - Speed Enforcement Grant - Police Department Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing Mayor Mark D. Boughton, or Chief Patrick Ridenhour, as his designee, to accept grant funds and sign all contracts necessary to effectuate the purposes thereof as related to the State of Connecticut Department of Transportation, Highway Safety Office funds available through its 2017 Major City Speed Enforcement Program in an amount not to exceed $50,000 with the State covering 75% and the City covering 25% of the total cost. The anticipated project period is July 1, 2017 through September 5, 2017. 13. RESOLUTION - TB Prevention - Health Department Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing Mayor Mark D. Boughton, or Lisa Michelle Morrissey, Director of Health, as his designee to apply for and accept said funding and to execute all contracts to effectuate the purposes thereof as related to the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health funding for a Tuberculosis (TB) Prevention and Control Program. The funding will span a 5-year period beginning July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2022 and is expected to be $25,000 per year, for a total not to exceed $125,000. 17. AD HOC REPORT - Sewer and Water Extension of Time - Great Plain Rd. Receive the Ad Hoc committee report "Sewer & Water Extension of Time-Great Plain Road" and approve the recommendations and conditions as detailed within the report. A motion was made by Councilman Cavo, seconded by Councilman Perkins, to accept the Consent Calendar as presented. The motion carried unanimously. 1. COMMUNICATION - Appointment to Lake Kenosia Commission *CONSENTED - Receive the communication and confirm the appointment of Theresa Keeler to the Lake Kenosia Commission with a term to expire 6/5/2020. 2. COMMUNICATION - E-Commerce Exchange Areas A motion was made by Councilman Arconti to receive the communication and refer to an Ad Hoc to include Corporation Counsel and the Chief of Police or designee. Hearing no objections, Mayor Boughton ordered the Ad Hoc Committee with the following Councilmembers - Chieffalo as Chair, Wetmore, and John Esposito. 3. COMMUNICATION - Appropriation to Ambulance Fund *CONSENTED - Receive the communication and approve the request for the additional appropriation of $158,000 to the Ambulance Fund Budget due to the increased volume. 4. COMMUNICATION - Annual Suspense List A motion was made by Councilman Mike Esposito, seconded by Councilwoman Stanley, to accept the report and approve the transfer of $295,146.32 to the Suspense List as requested by the Office of the Tax Collector. The motion carried unanimously. 5. COMMUNICATION - Plumtrees Road-Right of Way & Discontinuance of Road *CONSENTED - Receive the communication and approve the request to 1) Approve the new right of way limits for the portion of Plumtrees road that was realigned. 2) Approve the discontinuance of the portion of the former Plumtrees Road right of way no longer in use, and 3) authorize the Tax Assessor to combine the portion of the former Plumtrees Road right of way and the remainder of Tax Assessor's Lot L12014 with Tax Assessor's Lot M12003 as detailed in the letter provided by the Director of Public Works/Acting City Engineer. 6. COMMUNICATION - Donation - Bicycle Safety Signs A motion was made by Councilman Fox, seconded by Councilman Wetmore, to receive the communication and approve the donation from Cramer & Anderson of the 10 - three feet, 'It's The Law' bicycle safety signs worth $275 in total and to send the appropriate letter of thanks. The motion carried unanimously. 7. COMMUNICATION - Donation - Police Department A motion was made by Councilman Wetmore, seconded by Councilman Visconti, to receive the communication and accept the generous donation of $2,500 from Praxair for the purpose of active shooter gear and equipment and send the appropriate letter of thanks. The motion carried unanimously. 8. RESOLUTION - Application for Funds - Octagon House *CONSENTED - Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing Mark D. Boughton, Mayor of the City of Danbury, to sign any documents necessary to effectuate the grant available through the Certified Local Government Historic Preservation Enhancement Grant Program to help cover the costs for preparation of architectural plans and specifications for the reuse of the historic Octagon House. The proposed grant is for $20,000 with a match from the City being required for a total project amount of $40,000. 9. RESOLUTION - Newtown Savings Bank Grant A motion was made by Councilwoman Stanley, seconded by Councilman Wetmore, to receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing Mayor Mark Boughton or Lisa Michelle Morrissey, Director of Health or as his designee, to apply for and accept said funds from Newtown Bank and to execute all contracts and agreements necessary to effectuate the purposes thereof. The motion carried unanimously. 10. RESOLUTION - Speed Enforcement Grant - Police Department *CONSENTED - Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing Mayor Mark D. Boughton, or Chief Patrick Ridenhour, as his designee, to accept grant funds and sign all contracts necessary to effectuate the purposes thereof as related to the State of Connecticut Department of Transportation, Highway Safety Office funds available through its 2017 Major City Speed Enforcement Program in an amount not to exceed $50,000 with the State covering 75% and the City covering 25% of the total cost. The anticipated project period is July 1, 2017 through September 5, 2017. 11. RESOLUTION - 2017 Responsible Growth and TOD Program Ms. Calitro responded to Mr. Perkins regarding the genesis and expected outcome of the item including sharing data collection and training. There will be a public meeting at the Palace Theater for the study on June 20ith. Mr. Perkins urged elected officials and community advocates to attend. A motion was made by Councilman Priola, seconded by Councilwoman Stanley, to receive the communication and to adopt the Resolution as presented, and to authorize Mark D. Boughton, Mayor of the City of Danbury, to sign the grant application and to sign any other documents associated with administering the grant, including, but not limited to, the final grant agreement and any amendments thereto. And if awarded, the City of Danbury agrees to the terms and conditions in the included the final grant agreement, including the local match requirement contained in such agreement. The motion carried unanimously. 12. RESOLUTION - Food Safety Program Ms. Morrissey responded to Mr. Saadi's questions noting there would be no restrictions on going to other cities and vice-a-versa. A motion was made by Councilwoman Cammisa, seconded by Councilman Rotello, to receive the communication and to adopt the Resolution authorizing the Director of Health to implement a voluntary food safety training program, impose the appropriate fees as attached, to and authorize the Director of Finance to establish suitable accounts therefore. The motion carried unanimously. 13. RESOLUTION - TB Prevention - Health Department *CONSENTED - Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing Mayor Mark D. Boughton, or Lisa Michelle Morrissey, Director of Health, as his designee to apply for and accept said funding and to execute all contracts to effectuate the purposes thereof as related to the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health funding for a Tuberculosis (TB) Prevention and Control Program. The funding will span a 5-year period beginning July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2022 and is expected to be $25,000 per year, for a total not to exceed $125,000. 14. RESOLUTION - Well Testing Program Ms. Morrissey responded to comments from Mr. Esposito, Mr. Rotello, Mr. Levy regarding testing. A motion was made by Councilman Cavo, seconded by Councilman Saadi, to receive the communication and to adopt the Resolution authorizing the Director of Health to implement a voluntary well testing program and to authorize the Director of Finance to set up suitable accounts for the receipt and distribution of expenditures as required for the private well testing program. The motion carried unanimously. 15. RESOLUTION - Coverage for Director Of Health A motion was made by Councilman DiGilio, seconded by Councilman Cavo, to receive the communication and to adopt the Resolution as presented, and to authorizing the Danbury Director of Health to execute the attached Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of the City of Danbury as required by the Connecticut Department of Public Health, allowing the Municipal and Health District jurisdictions detailed within the memo and resolution providing coverage 24/7 for Director of Health Services. The motion carried unanimously. 16. Ad HOC REPORT - Women’s Center Property Transfer - 89 Rose Street Mr. Saadi commended the model plan and addressed concerns. Mr. Boughton also commented on the importance of the project. A motion was made by Councilman Cavo, seconded by Councilman Wetmore, to waive the reading of the report. The motion carried unanimously. A motion was made by Councilman Wetmore, seconded by Councilman Cavo, to receive the communication, adopt the Committee's report, and refer this item to a public hearing. The motion carried unanimously. 17. AD HOC REPORT - Sewer and Water Extension of Time - Great Plain Rd. *CONSENTED - Receive the Ad Hoc committee report "Sewer & Water Extension of Time-Great Plain Road" and approve the recommendations and conditions as detailed within the report. 18. DEPARTMENT REPORTS - Police, Fire, Health-Housing & Welfare, Dream Homes, Public Works, UNIT, Elderly, Statement of Condition-Fire Dept. Mr. Perkins commended Mr. Ridenhour on the police video. Mr. Saadi commented on the benefits of the tick program. Mr. Levy commented on the Fire Department's annual equipment report. 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 for review in the Legislative Assistant's Office for review. The motion carried unanimously. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Boughton extended all committees. 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 8:35 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Lori Goor Recording Secretary Attest, Mark D. Boughton, Mayor