City Council

CITY COUNCIL MEETING April 3, 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 Sean Hatch. Councilman Curran led all in prayer. ROLL CALL COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Philip Curran, Mike Esposito, Warren Levy, Robert Taborsak, Andrew Wetmore, Irving Fox, John Priola, Vinny DiGilio, Joseph Cavo, Thomas Saadi, Fred Visconti, Elmer Palma, John Esposito, Duane Perkins, Ben Chianese, Paul Rotello, Nancy Cammisa, and Joe Scozzafava. COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Councilwoman Chieffalo is attending a family event; Councilwoman Stanley had a family requirement; and Councilman Arconti had a business event. 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  Laura Mead, 57 Jefferson Avenue, Danbury, teacher, congratulated the new Police Officers, and spoke in favor of the Board of Education budget.  Lori Woodruff, 57 Middle River Road, Danbury, teacher, spoke in favor of the Board of Education budget, and presented a letter to the Council.  Melinda Scott, 23 Clearview Avenue, Danbury, teacher, spoke in favor of the Board of Education budget.  Brian Gehan, 44 Abbey Lane, Danbury, teacher, spoke in favor of the Board of Education budget.  Erin Daly, 24 Tarrywile Lake Road, Danbury, teacher, spoke in favor of the Board of Education budget.  Tom Young, 3 Tupper Street, Danbury, teacher, spoke in favor of the Board of Education budget.  Elaine Klein, President of Danbury PAL, spoke in favor of Item 25.  Kay Panetta, 4 Top Hill Road, Danbury, spoke in favor of the Board of Education budget.   Jessica Archambault, 17 Fair View Drive, Danbury, teacher, spoke in favor of the Board of Education budget.  Will Sweeney, 19 Winewood Drive, Danbury, student, spoke in favor of the Board of Education budget. ANNOUNCEMENTS Mayor Boughton made the announcements for the month of April. BUDGET ADDRESS Mayor Boughton gave the Budget Address. MINUTES - Minutes of the Council Meeting held March 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 7. COMMUNICATION - Appointments to HRRA Receive the communication and confirm the appointments of Mark D. Boughton (Member) and Joel Urice (Alternate) to the Housatonic Resources Recovery Authority (H.R.R.A.) Board with terms to expire July 1, 2020. 9. COMMUNICATION - Disposal of Surplus Fire Department Pumper Truck Receive the communication and approve the request from the Danbury Fire Department to dispose of a 1999 Pierce Saber Pumper Truck via a public auction pursuant to the requirements set forth by Section 2-153 of the Code of Ordinances. 14. RESOLUTION - Leir Foundation Grant Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing the City of Danbury Police Department though Mayor Mark D. Boughton or Patrick Ridenhour, Chief of Police, as his designee, to apply for and accept funding from ‘The Leir Charitable Foundations’ in an amount not to exceed $25,000.00 to be used for improvements and upgrades to technology. No local match is required. 16. RESOLUTION - Historic Document – Town Clerk Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing Mayor Mark D. Boughton or Janice Giegler, Town Clerk, as his designee, to apply for and accept funding from the Connecticut State Library’s FY 2019 ‘Historic Documents Preservation Grant’ program for the purposes of preserving public records in an amount not to exceed $9,500.00. 17. RESOLUTION - Distracted Driving Grant – Police Department Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing Mayor Mark D. Boughton or Patrick Ridenhour, Chief of Police, as his designee, to accept funding from the State of Connecticut Department of Transportation, Division of Highway Safety “Distracted Driving High Visibility Enforcement” (DDHVE) program not to exceed $59,200.00. No local match is required. 18. RESOLUTION - ALA – Great American Read - Library Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing Mayor Mark D. Boughton or Katie Pearson, Library Director, as his designee, to apply for and accept funds from the American Library Association available through PBS’s ‘The Great American Read’ program not to exceed $2,000.00. No local match is required. 19. RESOLUTION - ALA – American Dream Literacy - Library Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing Mayor Mark D. Boughton or Katie Pearson, Library Director, as his designee, to apply for and accept funds from the American Library Association available through the ‘Dollar General Literacy Foundation’ funding the ‘American Dream Literacy Initiative’ not to exceed $11,000.00. No local match is required. 21. RESOLUTION – OPM Grant – Health and Human Services 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 through the Office of Policy Management grant program entitled Connecticut Keep Kids Safe Grant in an amount not to exceed $10,000.00. No local match is required. 22. RESOLUTION - Administration on Aging 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 funds through the US Department of Health and Human Services Administration on Aging (AOA) for the development of fall prevention programs for the elderly in an amount not to exceed $150,000.00. No local match is required. 23. RESOLUTION - Administration on Aging 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 funds through the US Department of Health and Human Services Administration on Aging (AOA) as part of the Administration for Community Living (ACL) funding grant for ‘2018 Empowering Older Adults and Adults with Disabilities through Chronic Disease Self-Management Education Programs’ not to exceed $150,000.00. No local match is required. 24. REPORT - Sidewalk Easement - 55 Triangle Street Receive the report and adopt the recommendation for approval for a sidewalk easement for 55 Triangle Street, pending acceptance subjected to the legal documents being acceptable in form and content to the Corporation Counsels Office. 25. AD HOC REPORT - Police Athletic League Lease Receive the Ad Hoc Committee Report and adopt the committee’s recommendation to approve the new lease between the City of Danbury and the Danbury Police Activities League Incorporated (PAL) for property presently leased on Hayestown Avenue including all use and occupancy terms and conditions. A motion was made by Councilman Saadi, seconded by Councilman Cavo, to accept the Consent Calendar as presented. The motion carried unanimously. 1. ORDINANCE & RESOLUTION - An Ordinance Making Appropriations for the Fiscal Year Beginning July 1, 2018 and ending June 30, 2019 and a Resolution Levying the Property Tax for the Fiscal Year beginning July 1, 2018 and ending June 30, 2019 A motion was made by Councilman Cavo, to refer to a Public Hearing. Hearing no objections, Mayor Boughton so ordered. 2. ORDINANCE - An Ordinance Appropriating $3,000,000 for Public Improvements in the 2018 -2019 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 DiGilio, to refer to a Public Hearing. Hearing no objections, Mayor Boughton so ordered. 3. ORDINANCE - Sewer Rates as of July 1, 2018 A motion was made by Councilman Wetmore, to refer to a Public Hearing followed by a Committee of the Whole. Hearing no objections, Mayor Boughton so ordered. 4. ORDINANCE - Water Rates as of July 1, 2018 A motion was made by Councilman Wetmore, to refer to a Public Hearing followed by a Committee of the Whole. Hearing no objections, Mayor Boughton so ordered. 5. ORDINANCE - Senior Tax Freeze A motion was made by Councilman Priola, to refer to a Public Hearing followed by a Committee of the Whole. Hearing no objections, Mayor Boughton so ordered. 6. RESOLUTION - Downtown Special Services District – Tax Levy A motion was made by Councilman Cavo, seconded by Mr. Saadi, to table to the May meeting. The motion carried unanimously. 7. COMMUNICATION - Appointments to HRRA *CONSENTED - as received. 8. COMMUNICATION - Appointments to the Police Department A motion was made by Councilman M. Esposito, seconded by Councilman J. Esposito, to accept the correspondence and confirm the appointment of Daniel Martins to the position to the Danbury Police Department (Police Officer). The motion carried unanimously. A motion was made by Councilman M. Esposito, seconded by Councilman Cavo, to accept the correspondence and confirm the appointment of Brian Wakeman to the Danbury Police Department (Police Officer). The motion carried unanimously. A motion was made by Councilman M. Esposito, seconded by Councilman Saadi, to accept the correspondence and confirm the appointment of Emilio Masello the Danbury Police Department (Police Officer). The motion carried unanimously. A motion was made by Councilman M. Esposito, seconded by Councilman Taborsak, to accept the correspondence and confirm the appointment of Daniel Benzing to the Danbury Police Department (Police Officer). The motion carried unanimously. A motion was made by Councilman M. Esposito, seconded by Councilman Taborsak, to accept the correspondence and confirm the appointment of Sean Ladrigan to the Danbury Police Department (Police Officer). The motion carried unanimously. A motion was made by Councilman M. Esposito, seconded by Councilman Saadi, to accept the correspondence and confirm the appointment of Stephen Gruse to the Danbury Police Department (Police Officer). The motion carried unanimously. 8.2 COMMUNICATION - Additional Appointment to the Police Department A motion was made by Councilman Cavo, seconded by Councilman Perkins, to add an item to tonight's Agenda for the purpose of confirming another Police Officer candidate to be confirmed by the City Council. The motion carried unanimously. A motion was made by Councilman M. Esposito, seconded by Councilman Rotello, to accept the appointment and confirm the appointment of Darren Lavelle to the Danbury Police Department (Police Officer). The motion carried unanimously. 9. COMMUNICATION - Disposal of Surplus Fire Department Pumper Truck *CONSENTED - as received. 10. COMMUNICATION - Donation to Parks and Recreation – Danbury Westerners A motion was made by Councilman Fox, seconded by Councilman Visconti, to receive the communication and accept the donation to the Parks and Recreation Department by the Danbury Westerners of two new benches for the Rogers Park baseball field valued at $3,800 and to send the appropriate letter of thanks. The motion carried unanimously. 11. COMMUNICATION - Sewer Extension – 3 Parker Street A motion was made by Councilman Curran, to receive the communication and refer to City Engineering and Planning for reports. Hearing no objection, Mayor Boughton so ordered. 12. RESOLUTION – Workforce Investment Act – Intergovernmental Agreement A motion was made by Councilman Levy to refer to an Ad Hoc Committee along with Corporation Counsel and a representative from the Mayor's Office. Hearing no objections, Mayor Boughton ordered the Ad Hoc Committee with Mr. Nocera from the Mayor's Office and the following Councilmembers - Levy as Chair, Mike Esposito, and John Esposito. 13. RESOLUTION - 2018 Neighborhood Assistance Act A motion was made by Councilman Priola, to receive the communication and adopt the Resolution that the City of Danbury through its City Council hereby approves, subject to a Public Hearing, those organizations who apply for participation in the Neighborhood Assistance Program, and authorize Mark D. Boughton, Mayor of the City of Danbury to take such actions as may be necessary for accomplishment of the purposes hereof. No local matching funds are required. Hearing no objection, and noting this will be referred to a Public Hearing, Mayor Boughton so ordered. Following the discussion below, the motion was withdrawn by Councilman Priola. Corporation Counsel Yamin responded to Councilman Saadi that the item could return to Council following the Public Hearing, but it is not mandatory. Mayor Boughton requested that it return to the Council following the Public Hearing. A motion was made by Councilman Priola, to receive the communication and adopt the Resolution that the City of Danbury through its City Council hereby approves, subject to a Public Hearing, those organizations who apply for participation in the Neighborhood Assistance Program, and authorize Mark D. Boughton, Mayor of the City of Danbury to take such actions as may be necessary for accomplishment of the purposes hereof. No local matching funds are required. Hearing no objection, and noting this will be referred to a Public Hearing, Mayor Boughton so ordered. 14. RESOLUTION - Leir Foundation Grant *CONSENTED - as received. 15. RESOLUTION - Elderly and Demand Response Transit Service A motion was made by Councilman Wetmore, seconded by Councilman Taborsak, to receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing Mayor Mark D. Boughton or his designee to apply for and accept the funds to participate in the Elderly and Demand Response Transportation Program with the local match of 50 percent to be met through the adopted budget allocated to Housatonic Area Regional Transit (HART). Motion carried unanimously. 16. RESOLUTION - Historic Document – Town Clerk *CONSENTED - as presented. 17. RESOLUTION - Distracted Driving Grant – Police Department *CONSENTED - as presented. 18. RESOLUTION - ALA – Great American Read - Library *CONSENTED - as presented. 19. RESOLUTION - ALA – American Dream Literacy - Library *CONSENTED - as presented. 20. RESOLUTION – PHEP Funding – Department of Health A motion was made by Councilman Cavo, seconded by Councilman Saadi, to receive the communication and adopt the Resolution allowing the City of Danbury Department of Health and Human Services to accept the additional funding from the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health for the Public Health Emergency Preparedness grant. Motion carried unanimously. 21. RESOLUTION – OPM Grant – Health and Human Services *CONSENTED - as presented. 22. RESOLUTION - Administration on Aging Grant – Health Department *CONSENTED - as presented. 23. RESOLUTION - Administration on Aging Grant – Health Department *CONSENTED - as presented. 24. REPORT - Sidewalk Easement - 55 Triangle Street *CONSENTED - as presented. 25. AD HOC REPORT - Police Athletic League Lease *CONSENTED - as presented. 26. AD HOC REPORT – Richter Park – Request for City Funds Motion was made by Councilman Cavo, and was seconded by Councilman Perkins, to waive the reading of the minutes as all members have copies and copies are on file for review in the Legislative Assistant's Office. The motion carried unanimously. Councilman Priola recused himself from discussion, debate, and voting on this item. Councilman DiGilio noted a change to the Minutes to reflect that he, not Councilman Fox, is the Chair of the Committee. Mr. Priola responded to Mr. Rotello's questions regarding cost and revenue estimates as well as making changes to the course and estimated number of bays. Golf Course Superintendent Rob Dorsch responded to Councilman Chianese's questions regarding changes to the 10th hole. Finance Director David St. Hilaire responded to Councilman Chianese questions regarding loan details. Councilman J. Esposito received an answer the total loan amount question. Councilman Perkins noted that he received assurances regarding the turnaround and the funding and that this project will be beneficial to the community, Councilman DiGilio concurred noting the revenue generation projections are very conservative. Motion was made by Councilman Fox, and was seconded by Councilman Wetmore, to receive the Richter Park Loan from the City of Danbury Ad Hoc Report and adopt the Committee's recommendation to approve the Richter Park Authority's request for a loan to be used for the construction of a driving range not-to- exceed $600,000 to be repaid over a period not-to-exceed 15 years. The motion carried 15-2, Councilmen Palma and J. Esposito voting no. Councilman Priola is recused. 27. DEPARTMENT REPORTS – Police, Fire, Health-Housing & Welfare, Public Works, Permit Center, UNIT, Elderly, Library, Dream Homes Mayor Boughton responded to Councilman Taborsak's questions regarding the poor condition of the High School track. Public Works Director Antonio Iadarola responded to Councilman Chianese's questions regarding recent storm tree damage that there are no current plans for further collection of related debris; however, there is a facility that can accommodate residents in this regard. He also commented on the anticipated dog park opening timeframe. He responded to Councilman J. Esposito's questions regarding fire hydrant flushing and testing. Mayor Boughton, Mr. Iadarola, and Councilmen DiGilio and Saadi responded to Councilman Perkins' comments on the status of outdoor recreation, notably basketball courts and disc golf. 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 Mayor Boughton noted Budget Committee appointments as follows: General Government I – DiGilio as Chair, Cavo, Cammisa, Saadi, and Perkins. General Government II – Wetmore as Chair, Arconti, Cavo, Palma, and John Esposito. Public Works – Stanley as Chair, Curran, DiGilio, Taborsak, and Chianese. Health, Housing, and Public Safety – Curran as Chair, Mike Esposito, Chieffalo, Priola, and Rotello. Education - Levy as Chair, Stanley, Scozzafava, Fox, and Visconti. 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, to adjourn the City Council Meeting. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Lori Goor Recording Secretary Attest, Mark D. Boughton, Mayor