City Council

CITY COUNCIL MEETING July 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 DiGilio led all in prayer. ROLL CALL: COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Philip Curran, Christina Chieffalo, Mike Esposito, Colleen Stanley, Warren Levy, Robert Taborsak, Andrew Wetmore, Irving Fox, John Priola, Vinny DiGilio, Joseph Cavo, Thomas Saadi, Elmer Palma, John Arconti, John Esposito, Duane Perkins, Ben Chianese, Paul Rotello, Nancy Cammisa, and Joe Scozzafava. COUNCIL MEMBER ABSENT: Councilman Visconti is attending a family function. 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  P.J. Prunty, 43 Chambers Road, Danbury, spoke regarding Agenda Item 7. ANNOUNCEMENTS Mayor Boughton made the announcements for the month of July. MINUTES - Minutes of the Council Meeting held June 5, 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 available for review in the office of the Legislative Assistant. The motion carried unanimously. CONSENT CALENDAR 1. COMMUNICATION - Disposal of Surplus Vehicles and Equipment Receive the communication and approve the request to declare the listed assets surplus and authorize the disposal of these items pursuant to Section 2-153 of the Code of Ordinances. 4. RESOLUTION - Speed Enforcement Grant - Health Department Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing Mayor Mark D. Boughton or Patrick Ridenhour Chief of Police, as his designee, to apply for and accept grant funding from the State of Connecticut Department of Transportation for the ‘2018 Speed and Aggressive Driving Enforcement’ campaign in an amount not to exceed $50,000.00 no local match is required. 5. RESOLUTION - Per Capita Grant - Health Department Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing Mayor Mark D. Boughton or Lisa M. Morrissey, Director of Health, as his designee, to apply for and accept grant funding in the amount of $89,409.07 made available through the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health for the 2018- 2019 fiscal year to promote optimal health quality in the City of Danbury, no local match is required. 6. REPORTS - Sidewalk Easement and Road Widening 62-64 Triangle Street Receive the report and adopt the recommendation approving the sidewalk easement for 62-64 Triangle Street, subject to the legal documents submitted in form and content acceptable to the Corporation Counsel’s Office. A motion was made by Councilman Taborsak, and was seconded by Councilman Wetmore, to accept the Consent Calendar as presented. The motion carried unanimously. 1. COMMUNICATION - Disposal of Surplus Vehicles and Equipment *CONSENTED - as received. 2. COMMUNICATION - Donation - Danbury Cricket Club Mayor Boughton noted Mr. Iadarola and Mr. Kaplanis will meet with the Cricket Club before the new pitch is installed. A motion was made by Councilwoman Stanley, seconded by Councilman Taborsak, to receive the communication and accept the donation from the Danbury Cricket Club to replace the clay pitch at Danbury Middle School with an AstroTurf pitch with an estimated value of the project of $10,000 and send a letter of thanks. The motion carried unanimously. 3. COMMUNICATION - Donation - Fire Department A motion was made by Councilman Mike Esposito, seconded by Councilman John Esposito, to receive the correspondence and accept the generous donation in the amount of $1,500 by Branson Ultrasonics Corporation to be deposited in the account of 6000.2010 and send an appropriate letter of thanks. The motion carried unanimously. 4. RESOLUTION - Speed Enforcement Grant - Health Department *CONSENTED - as received. 5. RESOLUTION - Per Capita Grant - Health Department *CONSENTED - as received. 6. REPORTS - Sidewalk Easement and Road Widening 62 - 64 Triangle Street *CONSENTED - as received. 7. RESOLUTION - Praxiar - Abate Personal Property Tax Information Motion was made by Councilman Cavo, and was seconded by Councilman Perkins, to waive the reading of the report as all members have copies and copies are on file for review in the Legislative Assistant's Office. No objections, so ordered. Mr. Pinter responded affirmatively to Councilman Saadi regarding the inclusion of a textural clarification that would not require a public hearing or an amendment, that would clarify language similar to the following. Any application for an abatement would be submitted to, and subject to authorization by, the City Council. Mr. Pinter noted the Ordinance as originally submitted had language that would cover that, but there was concern it was insufficient. He indicated the added language is a non-substantive change and could be added. Councilman Rotello noted with the change, he is willing to support this, although it may need to be revisited down the road if there is an influx of server farms. A motion was made by Councilman Fox, seconded by Councilwoman Stanley, to receive the report and accept the recommendation of the Committee of the Whole to adopt the proposed amendment to the Code of Ordinances by adding Section 18-25.3 titled, Tax Abatement on the Information Technology Personal Property, as presented. The motion carried unanimously. 9. Appointment of Stefanie Mischner of 6 Catalpa Drive, Danbury, to the Stanley L. Richter Arts Association, Richter Park Authority (Added Item) Motion by Councilman Cavo seconded by Councilman Wetmore, to add Item 9. to the Agenda, Appointment of Stefanie Mischner of 6 Catalpa Drive, Danbury, to the Stanley L. Richter Arts Association, Richter Park Authority. Motion carried unanimously. It was noted due to a retirement, an appointment is needed. Motion by Councilman Cavo, seconded by Councilman Saadi, to accept the appointment and confirm Stefanie Mischner to serve as a representative to the Stanley L. Richter Arts Association, with a term to expire July 1, 2021. Motion carried unanimously. 8. DEPARTMENT REPORTS - Police, Fire, Health-Housing & Welfare, Dream Homes, Public Works, Permit Center, Unit, Elderly, Library Councilman Perkins discussed the Jefferson Avenue Bridge Replacement Program start date and inquired regarding the status of the bridge. Mr. Iadarola commented that there are no hydraulic issues, but the deck is being refurbished and it should be complete before 120 days; the walls are in great shape. Mr. Perkins inquired regarding the Adult Recreation Facilities in Rogers Park ribbon-cutting. Mayor Boughton noted that would take place in August for the work-out path. Councilman Taborsak requested a status update of the high school addition. Mr. Iadarola noted the Freshman addition is completed and has a temporary Certificate of Occupancy. The black box theater will be complete in two weeks. All other phases have been completed; 37 days were lost due to severe weather, but 3/4 of that have been made up. He responded to questions regarding the boundaries of the storm's affected areas in compliance with FEMA guidelines; 311 will be the number to call with questions. Councilman Chianese requested information regarding increases in the Crime Report. Police Chief Ridenhour noted the recent arrest with regard to car burglaries; however, there is no pattern that is cause for concern. 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 Office of the Legislative Assistant for review. No objections, so ordered. Councilman Cavo commended Mayor Boughton on conducting his 220th consecutive City Council meeting noting he has had perfect attendance over the past 17 years. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Boughton extended all committees. A motion was made by Councilman Rotello, and was seconded by Councilman Perkins, to adjourn the City Council Meeting. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:02 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Lori Goor Recording Secretary Attest, Mark D. Boughton, Mayor