City Council

CITY COUNCIL MEETING August 6, 2019 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: Phil Curran, Bruce Bennett, Colleen Stanley, Warren Levy, Robert Taborsak, Andrew Wetmore, Irving Fox, John Priola, Joseph Cavo, Paul Rotello, Fred Visconti, Elmer Palma, Chris Arconti, John Esposito, Duane Perkins, Ben Chianese, Farley Santos, and Nancy Cammisa. COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Councilmen Mike Esposito and Vinny DiGilio are on family trips; and Councilman Scozzafava is having car problems. PRESENT: 18, ABSENT: 3 Councilman Mike Esposito arrived at 7:54 p.m. 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  Richard Janelli, 18 Benson Drive, Danbury, discussed Item 5.  Lynn Waller, 83 Highland Avenue, Danbury, discussed Item 5. and Item 6.  Ken Gucker, Padanaram Road, Danbury, discussed Items 5. and 7.  Kate Conetta, 4 Topfield Road, Danbury, discussed Item 7.  Clay Pierce, 103 Longridge Road, Danbury, discussed Item 7. ANNOUNCEMENTS Mayor Boughton made the announcements for the month of August. MINUTES - Minutes of the Council Meeting held July 2, 2019 A motion was made by Councilman Cavo, and was seconded by Councilman Perkins, to receive the minutes as recorded, waive the reading, as all members have copies and copies are on file for review in the office of the Legislative Assistant. The motion carried unanimously. CONSENT CALENDAR 2. COMMUNICATION – Appointment to the Planning Commission Receive the communication and confirm the appointment of Perry Salvagne IV to serve on the Danbury Planning Commission. 8. RESOLUTION – Community Development Block Grant Program – Year 45 Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing Mayor Mark D. Boughton to approve and submit the City’s Annual Action Plan for Program Year 45 and apply for and accept funds from Community Development Block Grant program through the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development commencing August 1, 2019 through July 31, 2020. 10. RESOLUTION – Danbury Youth Services Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing Mayor Mark D. Boughton to apply for and accept funds from the State of Connecticut Department of Children and Families ’Youth Services Bureau Grant’ Danbury Youth Services will use this funding not to exceed $75,000.00 to provide support counseling, development programs as well as outreach and prevention services to its clients. 11. RESOLUTION – Shelter EFSP Funding – United Way 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 Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) through the Emergency Food Shelter Program in an amount not to exceed $2,712.00 no local match is required. 12. RESOLUTION – Per Capita FY 2020 Grant Allocation 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 Connecticut Department of Public Health for the City of Danbury’s Health and Human Services Department for the 2019-2020 fiscal year grants to municipalities in accordance with Connecticut General Statute Section 19a-202 in the amount of $90,531.26, no local match is required. 14. REPORTS – Water Extension for 333 Main Street Receive the reports from the City Engineer and the Planning Commission and approve the Request for Water Extension for 333 Main Street (I13034) subject to the City’s standard eight (8) steps/conditions. A motion was made by Councilman Cavo, and was seconded by Councilman Perkins, to adopt the Consent Calendar as presented. The motion carried unanimously. Councilman Mike Esposito arrived. 1. COMMUNICATION – Special Police Officer-Appointment A motion was made by Councilman Cavo, seconded by Councilman Mike Esposito, to receive the communication and confirm the appointment of Patricia "Patty" Gillotti to be a Special Police Officer in the City of Danbury. The motion carried unanimously. 2. COMMUNICATION – Appointment to the Planning Commission *CONSENTED - as received. 3. COMMUNICATION - HUD-Section 108 - Loan Guarantee Ordinance A motion was made by Councilman Arconti, to receive the communication and refer to a Public Hearing. Hearing no objections, Mayor Boughton so ordered. 4. COMMUNICATION – Donation to the Fire Department A motion was made by Councilwoman Stanley, seconded by Councilman Santos, to receive the communication and accept the donation of new kitchen cabinets and countertops for Engine 25 from Omega Kitchens and Granite valued at $14,142 and send a letter of thanks. The motion carried unanimously. 5. COMMUNICATION – Donation – Pembroke School Playground Mayor Boughton responded, along with Mr. St. Hilaire, to Councilman Taborsak that the bond in question is for open space/recreation, to Councilman Santos regarding the project details, and to Councilman Rotello regarding the funds. A motion was made by Councilman Palma, seconded by Councilwoman Stanley, to receive the communication and accept the generous donation of $130,000 and certify the availability of $140,000 for the Pembroke School Playground Project as presented. The motion carried unanimously. 6. COMMUNICATION - Aquarion Water Company A motion was made by Councilman Wetmore, to refer to an Ad Hoc consisting of Corporation Counsel, the Director of Public Works, the Director of Health, the Director of Public Utilities, and a representative from the Aquarion. Hearing no objections, Mayor Boughton ordered the Ad Hoc Committee with the following Councilmembers - Fox as Chair, Priola, and John Esposito. 7. COMMUNICATION - Certification of Funds - 89 Wooster Heights & 25 Miry Brook Road A motion was made by Councilman Levy, seconded by Councilwoman Stanley, to receive the Certification No. 1, and appropriate $790,000 from the Unappropriated Fund Balance for the Danbury Airport Wooster Heights & Miry Brook Road Project as outlined in the certification. Councilman Perkins, requested the item be sent to an Ad Hoc. Hearing no objections, Mayor Boughton ordered the Ad Hoc Committee with the following Councilmembers - Levy as Chair, Curran, and John Esposito. 8. RESOLUTION – Community Development Block Grant Program – Year 45 *CONSENTED - as received. 9. RESOLUTION – MOU – Emergency Preparedness – Health Department Ms. Morrissey responded to Councilman Visconti regarding training, and to Councilman Chianese regarding the MOU. A motion was made by Councilman Priola, seconded by Councilman Wetmore, to receive the communication and adopt the Resolution that allows Mayor Mark D. Boughton, Mayor of the City of Danbury, or Lisa Morrissey, Director of Health, as his designee, be authorized to accept the funding in an amount not-to-exceed $47,960 and will allow the City's Health Department to continue programs related to emergency preparedness from July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020 and to execute all MOU agreements necessary to effectuate the purposes thereof. The motion carried unanimously. 10. RESOLUTION – Danbury Youth Services *CONSENTED - as received. 11. RESOLUTION – Shelter EFSP Funding – United Way *CONSENTED - as received. 12. RESOLUTION – Per Capita FY 2020 Grant Allocation *CONSENTED - as received. 13. RESOLUTION – Student Educational Training Affiliation Agreement Ms. Morrissey responded to Councilman Perkins regarding the scope, objectives, possible outcomes, and student credit. A motion was made by Councilman Fox, seconded by Councilman Wetmore, to receive the communication and adopt the Resolution that the City, through the City Council, hereby authorizes Mayor Mark D. Boughton, to execute for a new period of three years, a student education affiliation agreement and related documents with Western Connecticut State University, and furthermore to take all such actions necessary for the accomplishment of the purposes hereof. The motion carried unanimously. 14. REPORTS – Water Extension for 333 Main Street *CONSENTED - as received. 15. AD HOC REPORT – Charter Revision A motion was made by Councilman Cavo, and was seconded, to waive the reading of the Minutes as all Members have copies and copies are on file for review in the Office of the Legislative Assistant. The motion carried unanimously. The Mayor Boughton discussed the Committee. Mr. Pinter responded to Council questions stating there is no deadline for adoption of the resolution. Councilman Chianese noted the item this evening is only to establish a Committee. A motion was made by Councilman Cavo, and was seconded by Councilman Wetmore, to recommit back to the original Committee for further review and questions. The motion carried 13-6, Councilmen Chianese, Perkins, Visconti, Santos, Rotello, and Taborsak voting no. 16. DEPARTMENT REPORTS – Police, Fire, Health-Housing & Welfare, Public Works, Permit Center, UNIT, Elderly, Library, Dream Homes Mayor Boughton commended Police Chief Ridenhour on the month's crime statistics. Councilman Chianese also thanked him for stop signs in a neighborhood. Chief Ridenhour responded to Councilman Perkins regarding the funding for the You Drive or You Text Program. Mr. Iadarola received thanks from Councilman Santos and Councilman Cavo for work on the Triangle Street Bridge and the Shelter Rock Road area and commented on the final work necessary. He also responded to Councilman Rotello regarding dam inspections. Ms. Morrissey responded to Councilman Taborsak regarding homeless issues and will look into the question regarding showers. Mr. Iadarola responded to Councilman Chianese regarding timing of paving at the new track and field at the high school. A motion was made by Councilman Cavo, and was seconded, 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. The motion carried unanimously. Mayor Boughton extended all Committees. Adjournment A motion was made by Councilman Perkins , and was seconded by Councilwoman Cammisa, 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