City Council

CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING November 14, 2019 Honorable Mayor, Mark D. Boughton, called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. in the Council Chambers. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE & PRAYER The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Police Chief Ridenhour. Councilman DiGilio led all in prayer. ROLL CALL: COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Phil Curran, Mike Esposito, Colleen Stanley, Warren Levy, Robert Taborsak, Andrew Wetmore, Irving Fox, John Priola, Vinny DiGilio, Joseph Cavo, Ben Chianese, Paul Rotello, Elmer Palma, Chris Arconti, John Esposito, Duane Perkins, Farley Santos, and Nancy Cammisa. COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Councilman Bennett is out of town, Councilman Priola is on business, Councilman Visconti is out on family business, and Councilman Scozzafava is ill. PRESENT: 18, ABSENT: 3 ALSO PRESENT: Robert J. Yamin, Corporation Counsel; and Les Pinter, Deputy Corporation Counsel. A motion was made by Councilman Cavo, and was seconded by Councilman Rotello, to receive the call to return to service for tonight's meeting and accept the report that each Member of the Council has been properly and duly notified of this meeting tonight. The motion carried unanimously. PUBLIC SPEAKING  Richard Janelli, 18 Benson Drive, Danbury, noted he is speaking for himself, not on behalf of the Board of Education, on Item 1.  Barbara Siebow, spoke regarding Item 1.  Kate Conetta, 4 Tophill Road, Danbury, noted she is speaking for herself, not on behalf of the Board of Education, on Item 1.  Sarah Purcell, 25 Ridge Road, Danbury, spoke regarding Item 1.  Ken Guecker, 89 Padanaram Road, Danbury, spoke regarding Item 1.  Al Robinson, 7 Rose Hill Avenue, Danbury, spoke regarding Item 1. 1. Request for Assignment of Fund Balance for fiscal year ending June 30, 2019 Mayor Boughton reviewed the report regarding details of assigning the fund balance. Councilmen Chianese, John Esposito, and Perkins noted their appreciation of the Ad Hoc wherein details of the budget reallocation were explained. Mr. St. Hilaire responded to Mr. Chianese's questions regarding last year's monies in relation to the reallocation. Mr. Pascarella responded to his questions regarding where monies for special education will go. Councilman Perkins commented on the need for mental health issue funding. He added that more can be done for the school by the City cutting back in other areas. Mr. Pascarella responded stating they do not have social/ emotional counselors or psychologists although they are needed. Councilman Santos commented that the assigned fund balance to be used for transportation, increased staff, special education tuition, new students per month, the need for more proactive funding, and the state of the overcrowding issue. Mayor Boughton noted taxpayers pay 83% for public schools when the State promised 50%, approximately $25 million, that is being shorted Danbury every year and that issue needs to be addressed. He added that 50% of students are living below the poverty line. Councilman Taborsak commented on the manner and timing of the reallocations. Councilman Cavo stated the resulting budget is a result of all the Departments and the Mayor for working in unison to achieve these budget reallocations. Councilman Curran stated the taxpayers are being shortchanged by the State, but the City has not shortchanged the schools. He noted physical updates to the schools that have come out of the General Fund. Councilman Wetmore stated taxpayers should not be blamed and the State needs to do more for Danbury. Councilman Levy stated that parents and students need to take advantage of all the things available in the schools. He noted it is a good system, and he congratulated the Finance Department for their work on the Fund Balance. A motion was made by Councilman DiGilio, and was seconded by Councilman Rotello, to receive the communication and approve the request for assignment of fund balance for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2019 as outlined in the accompanying memorandum dated November 7, 2019. Motion carried unanimously. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Councilman Rotello, and was seconded by Councilman Cavo, to adjourn the City Council Meeting. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:10 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Lori Goor Recording Secretary Attest, Mark D. Boughton, Mayor