City Council

CITY COUNCIL MEETING February 4, 2020 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: Roberto Alves, Emile Buzaid, Mike Esposito, Colleen Stanley, Warren Levy, Frank Salvatore, Robert Taborsak, Irving Fox, John Priola, Vinny DiGilio, Joseph Cavo, Paul Rotello, Elmer Palma, Chris Arconti, John Esposito, Farley Santos, Duane Perkins, Fred Visconti, Ben Chianese, Nancy Cammisa, Richard Molinaro. COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: None PRESENT: 21, ABSENT: 0 ALSO PRESENT: Robert J. Yamin, Corporation Counsel; Les Pinter, Deputy Corporation Counsel; David St. Hilaire, Finance Director; and Jean Natale, Legislative Assistant. PUBLIC SPEAKING  Mark Cammisa, 21 Aunt Hack Road, Danbury, discussed Item 7.  Robert Mitchett, 7 Brittania Drive, discussed Item 5.  P.J. Prunty, 6 Society Hill Road, Danbury representing the Greater Danbury Chamber of Commerce, discussed Item 7.  Gladys Cooper, 17 (unintelligible), Board of Education, discussed Item 7.  Jack Knapp, 1 Valley Stream Drive, Danbury, discussed Item 7.  Kay Kinetta, 4 Topfeld Road, Danbury, Discussed Item 7.  Lynn Waller, 83 Highland Avenue, Danbury, discussed Items 5., and 6.  Joe DaSilva, 18 Washington Avenue, Danbury, discussed Item 7.  Kathy Snow, 6 Lindencrest Drive, Danbury, discussed Item 7.  Richard Jannelli, Danbury, discussed Item 7.  Andrea Gartner, 112 Deer Hill Avenue, Danbury, discussed Item 7.  Clara Kadir, 16 Cedar Crest Drive, Danbury, discussed Item 7.   Lisa Scales, 5 Lombardi Street, Danbury, discussed Item 7.  Jean Rivot, 86 Deer Hill Avenue, Danbury, discussed Item 7. ANNOUNCEMENTS Mayor Boughton made the announcements for the month of February. MINUTES - Minutes of the Council Meetings held January 7,2020 Councilmember Rotello requested that regarding Item 7., that the motion by Mike Esposito be flipped with the motion made by Paul Rotello. Mayor Boughton stated the change will be made. A motion was made by Councilman Cavo, and was seconded by Councilman Perkins, with corrections noted above, 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. CONSENT CALENDAR 1. COMMUNICATION – Appointment – Board of Appeals Receive the communication and confirm the appointment of Juan Rivas to serve as a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals. 2. COMMUNICATION – Re-appointment - Commission on Persons with Disabilities Receive the communication and confirm the re-appointment of the following individuals as members of the Commission on Persons with disAbilities, with terms to expire February 1, 2023: Rose Marie Bouclier, Annie Dance, John Gentile, Joanne LaPorta, John Neumuller, Frank Reed, Frances Ryan, and Chad Sinanian. 3. COMMUNICATION – Donation - Police Department Receive the communication and accept the donation to the Danbury Police Department of two (2) wood credenzas, two (2) lateral file cabinets, seven (7) lounge chairs, one (1) coffee table, five (5) plastic outdoor tables, four (4) plastic chairs, three (3) metal storage lockers, and two (2) metal shelves from Summit Development Corporation. A motion was made by Councilman Fox, and was seconded by Councilman Perkins, to adopt the Consent Calendar as presented. The motion carried unanimously. 1. COMMUNICATION – Appointment – Board of Appeals *CONSENTED - as received. 2. COMMUNICATION – Re-appointment - Commission on Persons with Disabilities *CONSENTED - as received. 3. COMMUNICATION – Donation - Police Department *CONSENTED - as received. 4. RESOLUTION - PCLB Foundation Grant A motion was made by Councilwoman Stanley, and was seconded by Councilman Rotello, to receive the Communication and adopt the Resolution, authorizing Mark D. Boughton, Mayor of the City of Danbury and Susan Tomanio, Director of Elderly Services as his designee to apply for and accept the funding, not-to-exceed $40,000 which will be used to with the remaining funding from previous awards, if any, to benefit the City's elderly clients and providing services for outreach and referrals as well as activities. There is no City match required. And to execute all contracts and agreements necessary to effectuate the purposes thereof. Motion carried unanimously. Susan Tomanio resonded to questions regarding services that will be provided under the grant,employees And how seniors can request services. 5. AD HOC REPORT - Richter Park - Seasonal Cash Flow A motion was made by Councilman Cavo, and was seconded by Councilman Digilio, to waive the reading of the report, as all members have copies and copies are on file for review in the office of the Legislative Assistant. The motion carried unanimously. A motion was made by Councilman Fox, and seconded by Councilman Cavo, to receive the report of the Ad Hoc Committee and adopt the Committee's recommendation to approve up to $150,000 credit line to Richter Park Authority to be repaid back by Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2020 and that any further approvals or money required would require Council approval. The motion passed 20-1; Councilman John Esposito voting no. Mr. St. Hilaire and Councilman Priola responded to Council questions regarding Richter Park Authority financial status, advertising, driving range attendance, revenues, the short timeline of the loan, long-term approach to avoid further bridge loans, ideas for off-season activities, and models for other authorities. Councilman Priola discussed advertising and specials; Mayor Boughton requested that, along with information on pricing structure, and projections together in a memo for the entire Council. Mr. St. Hilaire noted quarterly and historical reports will also be reviewed. 6. AD HOC REPORT - HACD – Request for Proposals A motion was made by Councilman Cavo, and was seconded by Councilman Digilio, to waive the reading of the report, as all members have copies and copies are on file for review in the office of the Legislative Assistant. The motion carried unanimously. Director of Health Morrissey responded to Council questions regarding the type of housing that will be provided under the RFP, how and what types of clients would apply for the supportive housing pilot program at 98 Elm Street owned by the Housing Authority, parking, administration, repair, maintenance, staffing, counselors, safety, funding of other shelters. Zoning Enforcement Officer Hearty and Planning Director Calitro responded to questions regarding zoning and what other uses are permitted, legal non-conforming use, makeup of the clients. Deputy Corporation Counsel Pinter responded to questions about whether residency can be required. A motion was made by Councilman Priola, and seconded by Councilman DiGilio, to receive the report and adopt the Resolution as submitted to the Council authorizing the Mayor, or the Director of Health as his designee, to submit a response to the RFP to the HACD Corporation for support of residential housing and to execute all contracts and documents necessary to accomplish the purpose of the support of housing program should the City ultimately be awarded the RFP. The motion passed 19-2 with Councilmen Rotello and Visconti voting no. 7. REPORT - C.O.W. - SNAPP 2020 Proposed Bond A 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 office of the Legislative Assistant. The motion carried unanimously. Mayor Boughton responded to questions regarding the middle school expansion project, and timing of the bond. Public Works Director responded to questions regarding green initiatives, Osborne Street, and middle school classrooms. A motion was made by Councilman Cavo, seconded by Councilman Rotello, to receive the Committee of the Whole report of January 27, 2020 and adopt Ordinances appropriating a total of $62,000,000 for various capital improvements to schools, neighborhoods, paving, and parks within the City, and authorize the issuance of $62,000,000 in bonds of the City to meet said appropriation and pending the issuance thereof, the making of temporary borrowings for such purpose with the intention that such Ordinances be separate questions on the April 28, 2020 ballot. Question 1 being capital projects at $38.7 million; Question 2 being school projects at $23.3 million as set forth and in accordance with the action motion of the Danbury City Council together with the adoption of said Resolutions providing for a special meeting of electors and voters on the above date. The Council further authorizes the preparation and approval of revised documents by Bond Counsel. The motion passed 18-2 with Councilmen Alves and Santos, voting no; Councilman Salvatore abstaining. Mayor Boughton responded to questions regarding the middle school expansion project, and timing of the bond. Public Works Director responded to questions regarding green initiatives, Osborne Street, and middle school classrooms. 8. DEPARTMENT REPORTS – Police, Fire, Health-Housing & Welfare, Public Works, Permit Center, UNIT, Elderly, Library, Dream Homes, Board of Ethics Ms. Morrissey responded to Councilmen Taborsak and Levy regarding shelter utilization rates, residency and other town utilization rates. Councilman Santos thanked Mr. Iadarola and Mr. Nolan on behalf of a constituent for their quick response and professionalism to an issue. A 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. The motion carried unanimously. Councilman Arconti announced with regret his resignation from the Council effective February 28, 2020 as he has purchased a home in Brookfield. Mayor Boughton extended all Committees. 9. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Councilman Cavo, and was seconded by Councilman Rotello, to adjourn the City Council Meeting. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 9:28 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Lori Goor Recording Secretary Attest, Mark D. Boughton, Mayor