City Council

VIRTUAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING August 17, 2020 Note the City Council meeting was postponed on August 4th and 10th due to storms and power outages. 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 Legislative Assistant Natale. 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. PUBLIC SPEAKING Mayor Boughton read submitted public comments into the record as follows: • Eugene Morey, Angela Morero, E.J. Harrison, and Casey Bach regarding Item 5. • Greg Williams, 9 College Park Drive, Danbury, discussed Item 3. • Peter Lavelle, 3 Westview Drive, Danbury, discussed housing services. • Tom Brown, 10 Valarie Lane, Danbury, discussed Items 3, 4, and 11. • Charles Setaro, 27 Deer Hill Road, Danbury, discussed Item 3. ANNOUNCEMENTS Acting Health Director Prunty provided a COVID-19 update including an upward trend in cases, protection tips, and testing. She responded to questions regarding schools, enforcement regarding large gatherings, homeless at the Super 8 and Pacific House, asymptomatic testing without appointments, contact tracing, Sara alerts, information on social media pages. Mayor Boughton responded to questions regarding complaints. Mayor Boughton noted Seila Mosquera-Bruno, Connecticut Department of Housing Commissioner; Steve DiLella, Director of Individual and Family Support, Connecticut Department of Housing; Miguel Rivera, Director of Housing and Community Development for Connecticut; Lena Holleran, Connecticut Department of Housing; and Raphael Pagan and Jerome Roberts from Pacific House are participating in the meeting this evening. MINUTES - Minutes of the Council Meeting held JULY 7, 2020 A motion was made by Councilman Cavo, and was seconded by Councilman Perkins, to waive the reading of the Minutes as all members have copies and copies are available online on the City website and the Legislative Assistant's Office for review. The motion carried unanimously. CONSENT CALENDAR 6. COMMUNICATION - Disposal of Surplus Vehicles and Equipment Receive the communication and declare the attached list as surplus and approve the request to dispose of these items at public auction in accordance with Section 2-211 of the Code of Ordinances. 8. RESOLUTION – Memorandum of Agreement–2020 State Homeland Security Agreement Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing Mayor Mark D. Boughton, or Thomas J. Wiedl, Director of Emergency Management, as his designee to adopt the Region 5 Memorandum of Agreement and accept funds from the United States Department of Homeland Security through the State of Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) 2020 Federal Fiscal Year State Homeland Security Grant Program. This Memorandum requires authorization to engage in the regional cost sharing and allocation of funds for the purposes of this program, no local match is required. 9. RESOLUTION – Per Capita FY 2021 Grant Allocation Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing Mayor Mark D. Boughton, or Kara M. Prunty, Acting 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 2020-2021 fiscal year grants to municipalities in accordance with Connecticut General Statute Section 19a- 202 in the amount of $91,495.65, no local match is required. 10. RESOLUTION – 2020 Byrne DOJ Funding – Police Department Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing Mayor Mark D. Boughton, or Patrick Ridenhour, Chief of Police, as his designee to apply for and accept funds from the US Department of Justice 2020 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program in an amount not to exceed $19,461, 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 – Fire Captain A motion was made by Councilman Priola, seconded by Councilman Palma, to receive the communication and confirm the promotional appointment Fire Lieutenant Robert Shea Hanson to the position of Fire Captain. Motion carried unanimously. 2. COMMUNICATION - Appointment – Deputy Fire Marshal A motion was made by Councilman Knapp, seconded by Councilman Visconti, to receive the communication and approve the promotional appointment Fire Lieutenant Raymond Guard to the position of Deputy Fire Marshal. Motion carried unanimously. 3. COMMUNICATION – Emergency Management Services The Commissioners discussed the position which would report to the Mayor, the contract, successors, representative availability at City Council meetings as well as providing reports, the termination clause, and the principal of the position remaining a part of the City. Mr. Pinter opined on retention of the City's authority. A motion was made by Councilman Mike Esposito, seconded by Councilwoman Stanley, to receive the correspondence and approve the appointment of Matthew Cassavechia to the position of Emergency Management Director and approve the agreement. Motion carried 20-1 Councilman Taborsak voting no. 4. COMMUNICATION – Donation of Vintage Race Car (Withdrawn) It was noted this item was withdrawn. 5. COMMUNICATION – Donation Beaver Street Basketball Court A motion was made by Councilwoman Cammisa, and was seconded by Councilwoman Stanley, to accept the generous donation of the new backboard and rims for the Beaver Street Court estimated at a value of $2,500 from the Beaver Street Co-Op and send a letter of thanks. The motion carried unanimously. 6. COMMUNICATION - Disposal of Surplus Vehicles and Equipment *CONSENTED - as received. 7. RESOLUTION – CDBG-CV Pass Through Mayor Boughton noted the Resolution does not specifically to the Super 8. The program is the first in the State and will use Pacific House with a large donor base to bring assets to Danbury, which Acting Health Director Prunty would oversee. He responded to questions regarding the timeline and capacity. Raphael Pagan provided an overview of Pacific House and noted they would be happy to provide a future presentation to Council. He responded to questions noting the group is non-denominational. Jerome Roberts provided information about case management and meals at Pacific House. Acting Health Director Prunty responded to questions regarding oversight. Seila Mosquera-Bruno, Connecticut Department of Housing Commissioner discussed the partnership with the State and the non-profit.  A motion was made by Councilman DiGilio, seconded by Councilman Cavo, to receive the communication and adopt the Resolution as presented. Motion carried unanimously. 8. RESOLUTION – Memorandum of Agreement–2020 State Homeland Security Agreement *CONSENTED - as received. 9. RESOLUTION – Per Capita FY 2021 Grant Allocation *CONSENTED - as received. 10. RESOLUTION – 2020 Byrne DOJ Funding – Police Department *CONSENTED - as received. 11. DEPARTMENT REPORTS – Police, Fire, Health-Housing & Welfare, Public Works, Permit Center, UNIT, Elderly, Library, UNIT, Elderly, Library, Dream Homes Items are available in the Legislative Assistant’s Office UNIT Coordinator responded to questions regarding 21 Spring Street trash being dumped. Mayor Boughton discussed plans for that site. Mayor Boughton responded to questions noting large events at the parks are being put on hold due to COVID. Councilman John Esposito thanked Mr. Iadarola for his update on the Hearthstone Castle abatement and the Director of Elderly Services Tomanio for assistance during COVID. Mayor Boughton responded to questions regarding brush disposal noting there is no grant or resources at this time. Councilman Taborsak suggested a robocall if a program starts again. Mayor Boughton will get back to Councilman Chianese regarding whether there is an increase in the size of material that can be dropped off at Farris, the increase in dumping, and Oak Ridge bulky item drop off. Councilman Alves thanked Public Works and the Mayor with regard to dumping on Long Ridge Road. Councilman Rotello thanked Mr. Stillman for his work in Blind Brook. Mayor Boughton responded to his questions regarding City tree material clearing. Councilman Cavo thanked Public Works for tree cleaning during the recent storms. Councilman Salvatore thanked Police Chief Ridenhour and Fire Chief Omasta . Mayor Boughton along with Public Services Superintendent Nolan provided a paving status at the request of Councilman Perkins. A motion was made by Councilman Cavo, and was seconded by Councilman Santos, to waive the reading of the Departmental Reports as all members have copies and copies are available for review online and in the office of the Legislative Assistant. Motion carried unanimously. ADD- : 12. Improvements/Alterations to Scenic Portions of Long Ridge Road ON A motion was made by Councilman Cavo, and was seconded by Councilman Rotello, to add on Item 12. Communication - Improvements/Alterations to Scenic Portions of Long Ridge Road. The motion carried unanimously. A motion was made by Councilman Cavo, and was seconded by Councilman Perkins, to waive the reading of the Committee Report as all members have copies. The motion carried unanimously. Deputy Corporation Counsel responded to questions regarding timing and whether there is any way to expedite. Mayor Boughton comment on Scenic Road designations with regard to road maintenance. A motion was made by Councilman Cavo, and seconded by Councilman Fox, to receive the Ad Hoc Committee's report and refer to the proposed map and other documentation of the alteration and paving of the Scenic Road portion of Long Ridge Road to the Danbury Planning Commission for a report and further proceedings as required by City Code Section 42-187(d).. The motion passed unanimously. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Boughton extended all Committees and commented on Eversource. A motion was made by Councilman Priola, and was seconded by Councilman Taborsak, to adjourn the City Council Meeting. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 9:47 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Lori Goor Recording Secretary Attest, Mark D. Boughton, Mayor