City Council

CITY COUNCIL MEETING March 6, 2018 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 Richter Park Golf Professional Brian Gehan. Councilman DiGilio 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, Elmer Palma, Christopher Arconti, John Esposito, Duane Perkins, Ben Chianese, Paul Rotello, Nancy Cammisa, and Joe Scozzafava. COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Councilman Visconti is attending a family event. PRESENT: 20, ABSENT: 1 ALSO PRESENT: Robert J. Yamin, Corporation Counsel; Les Pinter, Deputy Corporation Counsel; and David St. Hilaire, Director of Finance ,Jean Natale ,Legislative Assistant PUBLIC SPEAKING  James, Moriarty, 35 Wooster Heights, Danbury, spoke in favor of Item 12 with reduced fees. ANNOUNCEMENTS Mayor Boughton made the announcements for the month of March. MINUTES - Minutes of the Council Meeting held February 6, 2018 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 2. COMMUNICATION - Sidewalk Easement - 55 Triangle Street Receive the communication and approve the Sidewalk Easement 55 Triangle LLC subject to a positive report from the City Engineer. Final plans and all documents shall be acceptable as to form and content by the Office of the Corporation Counsel. 5. RESOLUTION - SAMHSA Grant - 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 funding from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) funding grant. There is no local match required. 8. RESOLUTION - Hillman Foundation Grant - 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 funding from the Rita & Alex Hillman Foundation funding grant. This grant requires no local match and if awarded, will be used to subsidize costs associated with primary care interventions for pediatric populations. 10. RESOLUTION - Western CT Agency on Aging - Elderly Services Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing Mayor Mark D. Boughton or Susan Tomanio, Director of Elderly Services, as his designee, to apply for and accept funding and to execute all contracts and agreements from the Western Connecticut Area Agency on Aging through the ‘Older American’s Act’ Title III program to support Habitat for Humanity’s “Brush with Kindness” Program. A local match of 25% will be met through volunteer hours. 11. REPORTS - Sewer Extension - 11 Greenview Road Receive the reports from the City Engineer and Planning Commission and approve the request for Sanitary Sewer Main Extension to 11 Greenview Road-Tax Assessor’s Lot No. G11034 subject to the City’s standard eight (8) step/conditions. Final plans and all documents shall be acceptable as to form and content by the Office of the Corporation Counsel. 12. REPORTS - Sidewalk Easement - 1 Precision Road Receive the reports from the City Engineer and Planning Commission and approve the request for a sidewalk easement for 1 Precision Road, LLC. Final plans and all documents shall be acceptable as to form and content by the Office of the Corporation Counsel. A motion was made by Councilman Saadi, seconded by Councilman Taborsak, to accept the Consent Calendar as presented. The motion carried unanimously. 1. COMMUNICATION - Appointment - Tax Assessor A motion was made by Councilman Arconti, seconded by Councilman Cavo, to receive the communication and confirm the appointment of Brian Lastra to the position of Tax Assessor. The motion carried unanimously. 2. COMMUNICATION - Sidewalk Easement - 55 Triangle Street *CONSENTED - Receive the communication and approve the Sidewalk Easement 55 Triangle LLC subject to a positive report from the City Engineer. Final plans and all documents shall be acceptable as to form and content by the Office of the Corporation Counsel. 3. COMMUNICATION - Richter Park Authority A motion was made by Councilman DiGilio to receive the communication and refer to an Ad Hoc Committee consisting of the Director of Finance, Corporation Counsel, and a representative from the Richter Park Authority. Hearing no objections, Mayor Boughton ordered the Ad Hoc Committee with the following Councilmembers - DiGilio as Chair, Curran, and Perkins. 4. COMMUNICATION - Danbury Music Center Lease Addendum A motion was made by Councilman Priola to refer to an Ad Hoc Committee consisting of the Director of Public Buildings, Corporation Counsel, a representative from the Music Center, and a representative from the Cultural Commission. Hearing no objections, Mayor Boughton ordered the Ad Hoc Committee with the following Councilmembers - Cammisa as Chair, Wetmore, and Rotello. 5. RESOLUTION - SAMHSA Grant - 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 funding from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) funding grant. There is no local match required. 6. RESOLUTION - Opioid Litigation/Outside Counsel Authorization Mayor Boughton, and attorneys Ribeiro and Fitzpatrick discussed the opioid issue. They responded to questions from Councilmen Taborsak, Levy, Rotello, Chianese, and Perkins, with additional comments from Councilman Saadi, and noted the programs that would benefit from any funds received while also discussing future costs resulting from opioid addiction. Councilman Levy noted the reasons why he will be abstaining on the vote. Mayor Boughton noted Councilwoman Chieffalo will be recusing herself. A motion was made by Councilwoman Stanley, seconded by Councilman Cavo, to receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing Mayor Mark Boughton to engage in the legal services of Ventura Law and Branstetter, Stranch, and Jennings, PLLC in accordance with the agreement attached to provide legal services - opioid litigation. The motion carried 19 for, with one abstention by Councilman Levy, Councilwoman Chieffalo was recused. 7. RESOLUTION - Proposal to Revise Current Schedule of Fees A motion was made by Councilman Mike Esposito, to receive the correspondence and refer to an Ad Hoc Committee consisting of the Director of the Department of Public Health, the Director of Finance, and Corporation Counsel. Hearing no objections, Mayor Boughton ordered the Ad Hoc Committee with the following Councilmembers - Priola as Chair, Mike Esposito, and Chianese. 8. RESOLUTION - Hillman Foundation Grant - 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 funding from the Rita & Alex Hillman Foundation funding grant. This grant requires no local match and if awarded, will be used to subsidize costs associated with primary care interventions for pediatric populations. 9. RESOLUTION - US Consumer Product Safety - Health Department Mayor Boughton responded to questions from Councilman Rotello regarding pool inspection funding. A motion was made by Councilman Levy, seconded by Councilman Cavo, to receive the communication and adopt the Resolution that Mayor Mark D. Boughton, Mayor of the City of Danbury and Lisa Morrissey, Director of Health be authorized to apply for and accept funding not-to-exceed $250,000 from the U.S. Consumer Protection Safety Commission for the Pool Safety Grant Program. The motion carried unanimously. 10. RESOLUTION - Western CT Agency on Aging - Elderly Services *CONSENTED - Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing Mayor Mark D. Boughton or Susan Tomanio, Director of Elderly Services, as his designee, to apply for and accept funding and to execute all contracts and agreements from the Western Connecticut Area Agency on Aging through the ‘Older American’s Act’ Title III program to support Habitat for Humanity’s “Brush with Kindness” Program. A local match of 25% will be met through volunteer hours. 11. REPORTS - Sewer Extension - 11 Greenview Road *CONSENTED - Receive the reports from the City Engineer and Planning Commission and approve the request for Sanitary Sewer Main Extension to 11 Greenview Road-Tax Assessor’s Lot No. G11034 subject to the City’s standard eight (8) step/conditions. Final plans and all documents shall be acceptable as to form and content by the Office of the Corporation Counsel. 12. REPORTS - Sidewalk Easement - 1 Precision Road *CONSENTED - Receive the reports from the City Engineer and Planning Commission and approve the request for a sidewalk easement for 1 Precision Road, LLC. Final plans and all documents shall be acceptable as to form and content by the Office of the Corporation Counsel. 13. DEPARTMENT REPORTS - Police, Fire, Health-Housing & Welfare, Dream Homes, Public Works, Permit Center, Unit, Elderly, Library Councilman Priola noted the Police Chief has announced the opening of a Prescription Drug Drop Box. Councilman Perkins requested an update on the audio visual equipment. Information Technology Manager Frank Gentile noted the new equipment will be up before the next Council meeting and responded to questions regarding the old equipment. Councilman Fox thanked Police Chief Ridenhour for the response to Eastgate Road parking issues. Councilman Taborsak received answers to his comments regarding pothole repairs. Mayor Boughton noted the budget process begins soon and the high school is at an important point with regard to progress toward completion, noting related departments are extremely busy at this time. 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. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Boughton extended all committees. A motion was made by Councilman Saadi, and was seconded by Councilman Palma, to adjourn the City Council Meeting. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:21 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Lori Goor Recording Secretary Attest, Mark D. Boughton, Mayor