City Council

VIRTUAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING JUNE 2, 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 Fire Chief Wiedl. 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, Fred Visconti, Elmer Palma, Jack Knapp, John Esposito, Farley Santos, Duane Perkins, Ben Chianese, Nancy Cammisa, and 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. ACCEPTANCE OF ELECTRONIC SERVICE A motion was made by Councilman Perkins, and was seconded by Councilman Salvatore, to accept the electronic service. The motion carried unanimously. PUBLIC COMMENT via EMAIL Public Relations Coordinator O'Brien read comments into the record as follows:  Linda Ann Schmidt, 13 Moody Drive, Danbury regarding Agenda Items 13 and 14. ANNOUNCEMENTS Mayor Boughton made the announcements for the month of June. Acting Health Director Prunty provided an update on the COVID-19 pandemic. Mayor Boughton discussed City Hall staggered return to work program underway with an expected date after July 4, 2020. Fire Chief Wiedl announced his retirement after 39 years of service. The Acting Chief is Mark Omasta. MINUTES - Minutes of the Council Meeting held May 5, 2020 A motion was made by Councilman Perkins, and was seconded by Councilman Taborsak, to adopt the Minutes. The motion carried unanimously. CONSENT CALENDAR 1. COMMUNICATION - Appointment to Danbury Fire Pension Board Receive the communication and confirm the appointment of Councilman Warren Levy to serve as a member of the Danbury Fire Pension Board. 5. REPORT - Sewer Extension, 3 Parker Street Receive the reports and approve the request dated March 19, 2020 from Dainius Virbickas, P.E., on behalf of Ivan Deoliveira requesting a time extension for the approval previously granted by the City Council for the installation of a sanitary sewer main to serve the property located at 3 Parker Street, (Tax Assessor’s Lot No. H12036) for a period of eighteen months subject to the City’s standard eight steps/conditions of the original June 5, 2018 City Council approval. 6. REPORT - Sewer and Water Extension, Great Plain Road & Great Meadow Road Receive the reports and approve the request dated March 17, 2020 from Attorney Neil R. Marcus on behalf of Albert J. Salame requesting a time extension for the approval previously granted by the City Council for the installation of sanitary sewer and water extensions to serve the property located at Great Plain Road and Great Meadow Road for a period of eighteen months subject to the recommendations and conditions of the original sanitary sewer extension approval letter and meeting all of the recommendations and conditions of the water extension approval as approved at the October 2, 2018 City Council Meeting (reference item #10 of the meeting minutes) 7. REPORT - Water Extension, Osborne Street and Cleveland Street Receive the reports and approve the request dated February 26, 2020 from Robert Botelho, Victorian Associates, LLC requesting a time extension for the approval previously granted by the City Council for the installation of a water main extension to serve the properties located at 120 and 128 Osborne Street and 9 and 17A Cleveland Street (Tax Assessor’s Lots Nos. J12093, J12093-1, J12115, and J12237) for a period of eighteen months subject to the City’s standard eight (8) steps/conditions. 8. RESOLUTION - NRWIB Youth Employment Program Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing Mayor Mark D. Boughton to apply for and accept funds from the Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board through the State Department of Labor for a Youth Employment Program in an amount not to exceed $84,000 as a ’pass- through’ to Danbury Youth Services to oversee and administer employment programs. 9. RESOLUTION - Elderly and Demand Responsive Transit Service Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing Mayor Mark D. Boughton to apply for and accept funding from the State of Connecticut Department of Transportation’s ’Elderly and Demand Responsive Transportation’ program grant, authorize participation in the program, and whereas a 50% match is required, it will be met through the adopted budget allocation to HARTransit. 10. RESOLUTION - CT DPH Funding Reimbursement Grant, Health Dept. Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing Mayor Mark D. Boughton or Kara Marie Prunty, Acting Director of Health, as his designee, to apply for and accept funding from the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health, this funding not to exceed $76,058 will be used to reimburse the City for expenses for supplies, services, and overtime of City employees related to COVID-19, no local match is required. 11. RESOLUTION - United Way EFSP Phase 37 Grant, Health Dept. Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing Mayor Mark D. Boughton or Kara Marie Prunty, Acting Director of Health, as his designee, to apply for and accept funding from the United Way’s Emergency Food and Shelter Program ("EFSP"), this funding not to exceed $50,622 will be used for operating expenses at the City of Danbury homeless shelter covering the period January 1, 2020 to May 31, 2021. No local match is required. 12. RESOLUTION - United Way EFSP CARES Grant, Health Dept. Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing Mayor Mark D. Boughton or Kara Marie Prunty, Acting Director of Health, as his designee, to apply for and accept funding from the United Way’s Emergency Food and Shelter Program known as the EFSP Phase CARES Grant, this funding not to exceed $72,173 will be used towards prevention and mitigation of COVID-19 transmission in our community covering the period January 27, 2020 to May 31, 2021. No local match is required. 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 to Danbury Fire Pension Board *CONSENTED - as received. 2. COMMUNICATION - Ecuadorian Center to Food Pantries A motion was made by Councilman Palma, and was seconded by Councilman Salvatore, to accept the generous donation from the Ecuadorian Civic Club in the amount of $5,000 and send the appropriate letter of thanks for their commitment to our community. The motion carried unanimously. 3. COMMUNICATION - Hand Sanitizer from Bedoukian Research to Public Works A motion was made by Councilwoman Stanley, and was seconded by Councilman John Esposito, to receive the communication and accept the generous donation of approximately 90 gallons of hand sanitizer that we were able to distribute during the onset of the COVID-19 crisis and send a letter of gratitude. The motion carried unanimously. 4. COMMUNICATION - Bear Mountain License Agreement A motion was made by Councilman Knapp, and was seconded by Councilman Palma, to receive the communication from Sean Hanley, Superintendent of Public Buildings and approve the license agreement between the City of Danbury and Shaun J. McColgan for the cottage at the Bear Mountain property for a period of three years ending June 30, 2023. The motion carried unanimously. 5. REPORT - Sewer Extension, 3 Parker Street *CONSENTED - as received. 6. REPORT - Sewer and Water Extension, Great Plain Rd & Great Meadow Rd. *CONSENTED - as received. 7. REPORT - Water Extension, Osborne St. and Cleveland St. *CONSENTED - as received. 8. RESOLUTION - NRWIB Youth Employment Program *CONSENTED - as received. 9. RESOLUTION - Elderly and Demand Responsive Transit Service *CONSENTED - as received. 10. RESOLUTION - CT DPH Funding Reimbursement Grant, Health Dept. *CONSENTED - as received. 11. RESOLUTION - United Way EFSP Phase 37 Grant, Health Dept. *CONSENTED - as received. 12. RESOLUTION - United Way EFSP CARES Grant, Health Dept. *CONSENTED - as received. 13. REPORT & ORDINANCE - Senior Tax Freeze A motion was made by Councilman Cavo, and was seconded by Councilwoman Cammisa, 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. Finance Director St. Hilaire responded to questions regarding the mill rate, how to apply, deadlines, outreach, and program longevity. A motion was made by Councilman Fox, and seconded by Councilman Cavo, to accept the Committee's report and recommendation that the re-adoption of Code of Ordinances Section 44-53, formerly Section 18- 12.1.1, Tax Freeze for Elderly Homeowners to extend the Tax Freeze Program through the filing of the October 1, 2020 grant list. The motion passed unanimously. 14. REPORT & ORDINANCE - Water Rates A motion was made by Councilman Cavo, and was seconded by Councilman Rotello, 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. Finance Director St. Hilaire responded to questions regarding the drop in revenue and the minor portion of that that this would mitigate and the Water Fund Balance will need to be accessed. A motion was made by Councilman DiGilio, and seconded by Councilman Visconti, to accept the Committee report and recommend the adoption of the Water Rate Amendments as set forth in the specified Code of Ordinances Section 48-70 through 48-77 as submitted and ask that the Finance Director provide a report back to the Council in approximately 90 days. The motion passed unanimously. 15. REPORT & ORDINANCE - Sewer Use Charges A motion was made by Councilman Cavo, and was seconded by Councilman Visconti, 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 Priola, and seconded by Counciwoman Stanley, to accept the Committee report and recommend the adoption of the Sewer Rate Amendments as set forth in the Code of Ordinances Section 48-234 as submitted and request that the Finance Director provide a status report back in approximately 90 days. The motion passed unanimously. 16. REPORT & ORDINANCE - Governmental Entities - Sec 2-259 A motion was made by Councilman Cavo, and was seconded by Councilwoman Cammisa, 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 Levy, and seconded by Councilman Chianese, to receive the Committee report and adopt the recommendations to reauthorize the following entities: Flood & Erosion Control Board three years, Tarywile Park Authority five years, Youth Commission three years, Danbury Parks & Recreation Commission five years, and the Aviation Commission for five years. The motion passed unanimously. 17. DEPARTMENT REPORTS - Police, Fire, Health Housing & Welfare, Public Works, UNIT, Permit Center, Elderly Services, Library Acting Public Health Director Prunty responded to Councilman Taborsak regarding current homeless numbers, vouchers and landlords, and shelters with regard to social distancing. Public Works Director Iadarola responded to Councilman Chianese regarding paving progress. Mayor Boughton responded to Councilman Perkins questions regarding the demonstration permit and timing. Police Chief Ridenhour responded to Councilman Perkins regarding whether a committee would be beneficial with regard to the protests; he noted they are prepared. He also responded to Councilman Chianese regarding timing of the related street closures. Mayor Boughton added they will be meeting with a group of faith-based leaders. He commended Chief Ridenhour on organizing it and on the fact that that crime is down 35%.  A motion was made by Councilman Cavo, and was seconded by Councilman Rotello, 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 requested a moment of silence for George Floyd adding that continued dialogue and concrete plans are needed the address the national situation. 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 8:30 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Lori Goor Recording Secretary Attest, Mark D. Boughton, Mayor