City Council

VIRTUAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING April 7, 2020 Honorable Mayor, Mark D. Boughton, called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. via video conference. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE & PRAYER The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Les Pinter. Councilman DiGilio led all in prayer. ROLL CALL: COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Roberto Alves, Emile Buzaid, Mike Esposito, Warren Levy, Frank Salvatore, Colleen Stanley, Robert Taborsak, Irving Fox, John Priola, Vinny DiGilio, Joseph Cavo, Paul Rotello, Elmer Palma, Jack Knapp, 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; ACCEPTANCE OF ELECTRONIC SERVICE: A motion was made by Councilman Cavo, and was seconded by Councilman Salvatore, with corrections noted above, to accept the electronic service. The motion carried unanimously. PUBLIC COMMENT via EMAIL Karen Lanigan, 15 Skyline Drive, Danbury, discussed Item 9. Tom Brown, 10 Valerie Lane, Danbury, discussed Item 11. MINUTES - Minutes of the Council Meeting held March 3, 2020 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 AGENDA 3. COMMUNICATION – Historic Documents Preservation Grant Program Receive the communication and authorize Mayor Mark D. Boughton, or Janice R Giegler Town Clerk, as his designee, to apply for and accept grant funding from the State of Connecticut Office of the Public Records Administrator, Connecticut State Library for $10,500.00 to improve access to our active public records through a re-indexing project, there is no local match is required. 8. REPORT – Water Main Extension - 7 Backus Avenue Receive the communications from City Engineer and Planning Director and approve the Water Main Extension at the Danbury Fair Mall 7 Backus Avenue related to Shake Shack and Longhorn Steakhouse Restaurants, subject to the City’s standard eight (8) steps/conditions as outlined in the City Engineers report. A motion was made by Councilman DiGilio, and was seconded by Councilman Buzaid, to adopt the Consent Calendar as presented. The motion carried unanimously. ANNOUNCEMENTS Mayor Boughton made the announcements for the month of April. 1. COMMUNICATION – Promotional Appointment of Deputy Fire Marshal A motion was made by Councilman Mike Esposito, and was seconded by Councilman Visconti, to receive the communication and approve the appointment of as the Michael Jewel Deputy Fire Marshal. The motion carried unanimously. 2. COMMUNICATION – Refunding of General Obligation Bonds A motion was made by Councilman Cavo, and was seconded by Councilman Perkins, to proceed with the Resolution refunding of General Obligation Bonds with an amount not-to-exceed $30 million. The motion carried unanimously. 3. COMMUNICATION – Historic Documents Preservation Grant Program *CONSENTED - as received. 4. COMMUNICATION - Neighborhood Assistance Act A motion was made by Councilwoman Stanley to receive the communication and refer for public input. Hearing no objection, Mayor Boughton so ordered. 5. COMMUNICATION – Water & Sewer Extension Renewal - Great Plain Road A motion was made by Councilman Cavo to refer to the City Engineer and Planning for a report. Hearing no objection, Mayor Boughton so ordered. 6. COMMUNICATION - Sewer Extension Renewal - 3 Parker Street A motion was made by Councilman Priola to refer to the City Engineer and Planning for reports. Hearing no objections, Mayor Boughton so ordered. 7. COMMUNICATION - Water Extension Renewal - 120-128 Osborne Street and 9 & 17 Cleveland Street A motion was made by Councilman Fox to receive the communication and refer to the City Engineer and Planning for reports. Hearing no objection, Mayor Boughton so ordered. 8. REPORT – Water Main Extension - 7 Backus Avenue *CONSENTED - as received. 9. RESOLUTION – Property Tax Deferral - COVID-19 Finance Director St. Hilaire responded to Council questions regarding whether proof is required for the 90-day grace period, about the application, that taxes still due just deferred, the interest rate, due dates, plans for if the receipts slow down, details of the the 90-day grace period for two quarters - April then separately for July, rationale for interest rates, the new budget's mill rate, cash flow, what the City can do to help citizens, and that the program is also for businesses. Mayor Boughton added that guidance came from the Governor's Office last night, and commented on the balance helping citizens with the need for revenue. Mr. Ferguson responded to Council questions regarding current receipts, Mr. Pinter remarked on the efforts to provide reasonable relief within a reasonable time period, the Executive Order and the circumstances of COVID-19, and the need for budget making authorities to get budgets in place. A motion was made by Councilman DiGilio, and was seconded by Councilman Chianese, to receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing Danbury City Council to hereby participate in and adopt only the deferment program provision as presented as authorized and ordered by Governor Ned Lamont Executive Order 7S-6 as issued on the 1st day of April, 2020. The motion carried unanimously. 10. ORDINANCE – An Ordinance Appropriating $3,000,000 for Public Improvements in the 2020-2021 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 Cavo, to refer for public input. Hearing no objections, Mayor Boughton so ordered. 11. DEPARTMENT REPORTS – Police, Fire, Health-Housing & Welfare, Public Works, Permit Center, UNIT, Elderly, Library, Dream Homes Fire Chief Wiedl responded as the City's Acting Emergency Management Director, to Councilman John Esposito's question stating the City has extremely limited COVID-19 supplies, that they are being used on a daily basis, and that they are being monitored daily including Personal Protective Equipment. Donations have helped and the City is holding its own. He responded regarding reserves. Police Chief Ridenhour responded to Councilman John Esposito's inquiry noting Officers have protective gear and that they have been working with Acting Emergency Management Director Wiedl as well as with vendors and the State, and they have been receiving donations. Councilman Rotello urged the City to bring on someone as good as former Public Health Director Morrissey, and wished her well in her new job; Mayor Boughton concurred. Public Works Director Iadarola responded to Councilman Rotello's questions noting reservoir readings are right where they should be, and great care is being taken with water operators. Associate Director of Community Health Prunty responded to Councilman Taborsak's inquiry regarding the homeless being sheltered at the Super 8 Motel, and other programs that are being utilized to help them. Councilman Cavo thanked Mayor Boughton for his leadership, along with the other City Departments. Mayor Boughton thanked Councilman Salvatore for his work as a respiratory therapist. Councilman Salvatore thanked the Police and Fire personnel and EMS for their work during the COVID-19 crisis. Fire Chief Wiedl responded to Councilman Salvatore regarding the War Memorial event and the firefighters and volunteer contingent who assisted in the move to the Super 8 Motel. Councilman Perkins also thanked the public in working to flatten the curve and follow CDC guidelines. He applauded the Facebook posts and suggested 311 calls to get information out. Mayor Boughton added that the Live at 5:00 Facebook posts are also run on the cable access station, and multi-language recording is happening as well. Public Works Director Iadarola responded to Councilman Chianese regarding slight paving changes. A motion was made by Councilman Cavo, and was seconded by Councilman John Esposito, 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 Rotello, and was seconded by Councilman Salvatore, to adjourn the City Council Meeting. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:48 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Lori Goor Recording Secretary Attest, Mark D. Boughton, Mayor