City Council

CITY COUNCIL MEETING December 5, 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 Sean Hatch. Councilman Curran led all in prayer. ROLL CALL: COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Philip Curran, Christina Chieffalo, Mike Esposito, Warren Levy, Robert Taborsak, Colleen Stanley, 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; and David St. Hilaire, Director of Finance and Jean Natale, Legislative Assistant PUBLIC SPEAKING A representative from Cedargables Preschool, 187 Clapboard Ridge Road, Danbury, spoke regarding the Day Care Ordinance. ANNOUNCEMENTS Mayor Boughton made the announcements and special presentations for the month of December. MINUTES - Minutes of the Council Meeting held November 9,2017 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 for review in the Legislative Assistant's office. The motion carried unanimously. CONSENT CALENDAR 3. COMMUNICATION - Government Entities and Review Committee Receive the communication and confirm the appointments of Council Members Philip Curran, Christina Chieffalo, and Paul Rotello, as well as citizens Alan T. Boyce and Mark S. Chory to serve on the Government Entities Review Committee. 5. COMMUNICATION - Grant Application (LOTCIP) Intersection Improvement (Lake Ave.,Westville Ave., and Oil Mill Road) Receive the communication and approve the request to submit a grant application through the Western Council of Government Local Transportation Capital Improvement (LOTCIP) funds program from the State of Connecticut Department of Transportation during the State fiscal years of 2018 thru 2021 for improvements to the Lake Avenue, Westville Avenue, and Oil Mill Road areas. The estimated cost for the project is $2,500,000 with no City match being required. 6. COMMUNICATION - Grant Application (LOTCIP) Intersection Improvement (White St., Triangle St., Cross St., and Newtown Rd.) Receive the communication and approve the request to submit a grant application through the Western Council of Government Local Transportation Capital Improvement (LOTCIP) funds program from the State of Connecticut Department of Transportation during the State fiscal years of 2018 thru 2021 for improvements to the White Street, Triangle Street, Cross Street, and Newtown Road areas. The estimated cost for the project is $4,000,000 with no City match being required. 7. COMMUNICATION - Grant Application (LOTCIP) Intersection Improvement (Main St., Franklin St., Garamella Blvd., and Rose St.) Receive the communication and approve the request to submit a grant application through the Western Council of Government Local Transportation Capital Improvement (LOTCIP) funds program from the State of Connecticut Department of Transportation during the State fiscal years of 2018 thru 2021 for improvements to the Main Street, Franklin Street, Garamella Boulevard, and Rose Street areas. The estimated cost for the project is $2,500,000 with no City match being required. A motion was made by Councilman Cavo, seconded by Councilman Perkins, to accept the Consent Calendar as presented. The motion carried unanimously. 1. COMMUNICATION - Promotion - Police Department A motion was made by Councilman Arconti, seconded by Councilman Chianese, to receive the communication and confirm the appointment and promotion of Police Officer Ralph Anderson to Police Detective in the Danbury Police Department. The motion carried unanimously. 2. COMMUNICATION - Promotion - Police Department A motion was made by Councilman Mike Esposito, seconded by Councilman John Esposito, to receive the correspondence and confirm the appointment and promotion of Police Officer John Basile to Police Detective in the Danbury Police Department. The motion carried unanimously. 3. COMMUNICATION - Government Entities and Review Committee *CONSENTED - Receive the communication and confirm the appointments of Council Members Philip Curran, Christina Chieffalo, and Paul Rotello, as well as citizens Alan T. Boyce and Mark S. Chory to serve on the Government Entities Review Committee. 4. COMMUNICATION - SPORTECH/Paramutual Facility A motion was made by Councilman Wetmore, refer to an Ad Hoc Committee consisting of Corporation Counsel, the Director of Planning, a representative from the Mayor's Office, the Office of Small Business Advocacy, and the petitioner. Hearing no objections, Mayor Boughton ordered the Ad Hoc Committee be the Committee of the Whole to be followed by a Public Hearing. 5. COMMUNICATION - Grant Application (LOTCIP) Intersection Improvement (Lake Ave., Westville Ave., and Oil Mill Road) *CONSENTED - Receive the communication and approve the request to submit a grant application through the Western Council of Government Local Transportation Capital Improvement (LOTCIP) funds program from the State of Connecticut Department of Transportation during the State fiscal years of 2018 thru 2021 for improvements to the Lake Avenue, Westville Avenue, and Oil Mill Road areas. The estimated cost for the project is $2,500,000 with no City match being required. 6. COMMUNICATION - Grant Application (LOTCIP) Intersection Improvement (White St., Triangle St., Cross St., and Newtown Rd.) *CONSENTED - Receive the communication and approve the request to submit a grant application through the Western Council of Government Local Transportation Capital Improvement (LOTCIP) funds program from the State of Connecticut Department of Transportation during the State fiscal years of 2018 thru 2021 for improvements to the White Street, Triangle Street, Cross Street, and Newtown Road areas. The estimated cost for the project is $4,000,000 with no City match being required. 7. COMMUNICATION - Grant Application (LOTCIP) Intersection Improvement (Main St., Franklin St., Garamella Blvd., and Rose St.) *CONSENTED - Receive the communication and approve the request to submit a grant application through the Western Council of Government Local Transportation Capital Improvement (LOTCIP) funds program from the State of Connecticut Department of Transportation during the State fiscal years of 2018 thru 2021 for improvements to the Main Street, Franklin Street, Garamella Boulevard, and Rose Street areas. The estimated cost for the project is $2,500,000 with no City match being required. 8. COMMUNICATION - Opt out of Provision of Public Act 17-155 Planning Director Calitro responded to numerous Council questions regarding the regulation and what examples of these second detached residential units or accessory structures would consist of, and potential downsides. She noted that to date, 24 municipalities have opted out. Council commented on enforcement and inspection. A concern was expressed regarding an all or nothing approach. A motion was made by Councilman Cavo, seconded by Councilman DiGilio, that the City opt out of the provision of Public Act 17-155, an act concerning temporary health care structures as we feel that the public safety, health, and welfare of our citizens of Danbury would not be best met by this public act . The motion carried unanimously. COMMUNICATION - Emergency Homeless Shelter - Certification of Funds Mayor Boughton and Finance Director St. Hilaire responded to Council questions regarding the anticipation that the unfunded mandate will be permanent, and where this fits into the budget.  A motion was made by Councilwoman Chieffalo, seconded by Councilman Esposito, to receive the communication and certify the availability of funds in the amount of $75,000 for operational expenses of the Emergency Homeless Shelter . The motion carried unanimously. 10. COMMUNICATION - Extension of City Water Main - Fire Hydrant - 66 Wooster Hgts. A motion was made by Councilman Palma, to refer to the City Engineer and Planning Report an extension of the City the water main for the purpose of installing a fire hydrant at 66 Wooster Heights Road. Hearing no objections, Mayor Boughton so ordered. 11. COMMUNICATION - Application for Sewer and Water - 5 Gr. Pasture Rd. A motion was made by Councilman Priola, to receive the communication regarding the application for sewer and water at 5 Great Pasture Road and refer for reports from the City Engineer and Planning. Hearing no objections, Mayor Boughton so ordered. 12. RESOLUTION - Joint Application for Corridor Study - St. Rt./37/841 Public Works Director Iadarola and Mayor Boughton responded to Council questions regarding funding sources. Accountability on a previous non-City project related to work on a State road was discussed. Increasing City oversight was suggested. There were also comments regarding the Safe Streets Program. A motion was made by Councilman Levy, seconded by Councilman DiGilio, to adopt the Resolution and authorize the Mayor of the City of Danbury to sign the grant application and any other documents associated with the administrating of the grant for a travel study along Route 37 and the I-84 Corridor, and if awarded, sign the final grant agreement and any amendments. The motion carried 20 to 1, Councilman Fox voting no. 13. RESOLUTION - Drainage Easements - 25 Beckerle and 32 Farm St. A motion was made by Councilman Cavo, seconded by Councilman DiGilio, to receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing the Corporation Counsel's Office to acquire the two required easements to fix this drainage problem that has been around for some time on Beckerle Street and Farm Street. The motion carried unanimously. 14. RESOLUTION - 2018 Comprehensive DUI Enforcement Program A motion was made by Councilman Fox, seconded by Councilman Taborsak, to receive the communication and adopt the Resolution that Mayor Mark D. Boughton or Police Chief Patrick Ridenhour as his designee, hereby authorize to accept the grant funds pertaining to the 2018 Comprehensive Driving Under the Influence Enforcement Program as described in the Resolution and to sign all contracts necessary to effectuate the purposes thereof. The motion carried unanimously. 15. RESOLUTION - National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Grant Director of Health Morrissey responded regarding reporting requirements as relates to the funding plans.  A motion was made by Councilman DiGilio, seconded by Councilman Rotello, to receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing Mayor Mark D. Boughton of the City of Danbury, or Lisa Michelle Morrissey, Director of Health, as his designee, to apply for and accept the funds related to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation 2018 Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Grant Program in an amount not-to-exceed $50,000 with no City match being required. The motion carried unanimously. 16. RESOLUTION - Wal-Mart Foundation Director of Health Morrissey responded to Council questions regarding types of shelter that would be utilized. A motion was made by Councilman Palma, seconded by Councilman Cavo, to 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 the funds and execute all contracts and agreements for the Wal-Mart Foundation Community Rent Program to be used to provide emergency shelter for those in need. This grant will assist the City of Danbury in funding temporary housing for those displaced due to house fires, no heat in their homes, power outage and other disasters that impact individual families. The motion carried unanimously. 17. RESOLUTION - American Library Association Grant Library Director Pearson responded to questions regarding what the grant would be used for and how the program would be advertised. A motion was made by Councilman Scozzafava, seconded by Councilwoman Cammisa, to receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing Mayor Mark D. Boughton, or Katie Pearson, Library Director or his designee, to apply for and accept the funding and execute all contracts and agreements for the ALA Dollar General Literacy Foundation. The motion carried unanimously. 18. RESOLUTION - KeyBank Foundation Director of Health Morrissey responded to questions of what would happen if the funds were not received. A motion was made by Councilwoman Cammisa, seconded by Councilman Palma, to 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 funds and execute all contracts and agreements from the KeyBank Foundation for Neighbors, Education and Workforce Program. The motion carried unanimously. 19. RESOLUTION - Oriental Trading Company Funding A motion was made by Councilwoman Stanley, seconded by Councilman Palma, to 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 the funding in the amount not-to- exceed $5,000 to support the lead poisoning prevention education event and to execute all contracts and agreements necessary. The motion carried unanimously. 20. DEPARTMENT REPORTS - Police, Fire, Health-Housing & Welfare, Dream Homes, Public Works, Permit Center, Unit, Elderly, Library Councilman Taborsak inquired whether the special meetings held impacted timing of the e-mail Agenda and related links. Councilman Saadi expressed appreciation that reports, notably those of the Director of Health, contain grant status updates and that the Director of Finance has included an extensive report of all grant status applications. Councilman Chianese inquired whether citizens could call for leaf pickup by calling 311. Councilman Perkins noted Danbury Disc Golf has provided information which he will forward on regarding construction, maintenance, and maps and he expects to see disc golf being played in Farrington Woods in several months. Councilman Scozzafava inquired regarding groups of Police Cars controlling traffic around roads being tarred. Police Chief Ridenhour commented on the difference between required patrols and service levels versus private contract service. Councilman Palma commented on the fences down at a certain location, who is tasked with fixing them, and temporary measures until they can be repaired. Councilman Visconti commended staff on the Rogers Park cleanup. Councilman Rotello inquired regarding replacing bollards at Wooster Village. 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. No objections, so ordered. 15. REPORT & ORDINANCE - Day Care Ordinance A motion was made by Councilman Cavo to take Item 15. The Day Care Ordinance from the table from the November 9, 2017 Council Meeting. The motion carried 19 to 2 with Councilwoman Stanley and Councilman Levy voting no. A motion was made by Councilman Cavo to recommit Item 15. The Day Care Ordinance to the Ad Hoc Committee. The motion carried unanimously. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Boughton extended all committees. Mayor Boughton wished the citizenry Happy Holidays. A motion was made by Councilman Arconti, and was seconded by Councilman Saadi, to adjourn the City Council Meeting. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Lori Goor Recording Secretary Attest, Mark D. Boughton, Mayor