City Council

CITY COUNCIL VIRTUAL MEETING September 1, 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 Councilwoman Stanley. 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, and Nancy Cammisa. COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Richard Molinaro PRESENT: 20, ABSENT: 1 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 the following letters into the record: ● Tom Brown, 10 Valerie Lane, Danbury, regarding Item 10. ● Peter Green, 51 Main Street, Danbury, regarding Item 6. MINUTES - Minutes of the Council Meeting held August 17, 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 4. COMMUNICATION – Chow House, Residential License Receive the communication and approve the residential license for the Chow House at Farrington Park as presented. 7. RESOLUTION – CT Health Foundation – COVID 19 Response 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 Connecticut Health Foundation through its "Utilizing Community Health Workers in COVID-19 Response" grant program in an amount not to exceed $59,000, with funds to be used by the City of Danbury Health and Human Services Department to assist in mass immunization, contact tracing, and prevention and control activities from 9/1/2020 to 1/31/2021, no local match is required. 8. RESOLUTION – ALA Resilient Communities - Library Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing Mayor Mark D. Boughton, or Katie Pearson, Library Director, as his designee, to apply for and accept funding from the American Library Association (ALA) through its "Resilient Communities: Libraries Respond to Climate Change" grant program in an amount not to exceed $1,000, no local match is Required. A motion was made by Councilman Cavo , and was seconded by Councilman Fox, to adopt the Consent Calendar as presented. The motion carried unanimously with the exception of Item 7. on which Councilman Cavo abstained. 1. COMMUNICATION – Appointment – Superintendent of Apparatus A motion was made by Councilman Mike Esposito, seconded by Councilwoman Stanley, to receive the correspondence and approve the promotion and the appointment of Lieutenant David Kirkwood to the Superintendent of Apparatus. Motion carried unanimously. 2. COMMUNICATION – Extension of Collective Bargaining Agreement-City And Teamsters A motion was made by Councilwoman Stanley, seconded by Councilman Palma, to receive the communication and approve the certification of funds for the extension of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the City of Danbury and the Teamsters Local 677 (Public Utilities, Public Works, Public Buildings) from July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021. Motion carried unanimously. 3. COMMUNICATION – State of Connecticut Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Grant Acting Health Director Prunty responded to questions noting the program is for residents. A motion was made by Councilman Cavo, seconded by Councilwoman Cammisa, to receive the correspondence and accept the State of Connecticut Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Grant subcontract with the YMCA in an amount of $73,134. Motion carried unanimously. 4. COMMUNICATION – Chow House, Residential License *CONSENTED - as received. 5. COMMUNICATION – Donation to the Fire Department A motion was made by Councilman Levy, seconded by Councilman Cavo, to accept the donation in the amount of $5,000 from the Integ Systems Corporation for physical fitness equipment for Engine 23 stationed at Osborne Street, and a letter of thanks be sent from the City Council. Motion carried unanimously. 6. COMMUNICATION – Request for Extension Water and Sewer–1 & 2 Kevin Dr.  A motion was made by Councilman Cammisa, to refer to the City Engineer and Planning Commission for a report. Hearing no objections, Mayor Boughton ordered. 7. RESOLUTION – CT Health Foundation – COVID 19 Response *CONSENTED - as received. 8. RESOLUTION – ALA Resilient Communities - Library *CONSENTED - as received. 9. AD HOC REPORT – Tax Assessment SC Ridge A motion was made by Councilman Cavo, and seconded by Councilman Rotello, waive the reading of the Ad Hoc Minutes as all members have copies and copies are available for review in the Office of the Legislative Assistant and online. The motion passed unanimously. Mr. Pinter responded to questions regarding a succession agreement. Mayor Boughton responded to questions regarding the possibility of a school in that area in the future, appraisals, taxes, student impact fees, and details of the agreement. Mr. St. Hilaire responded to questions regarding what potential costs could be if the agreement does not pass, current vacancy in the building, and when the payments would begin. Mayor Boughton noted for the record that staff will ensure that Councilman Chianese is able to remotely join any Ad Hoc meeting. A motion was made by Councilman DiGilio, and seconded by Councilwoman Cammisa, to accept the Ad Hoc Report for the Tax Assessment of SC Ridge as presented. The motion passed 17-3, Councilmen Alves, Salvatore, and Santos voting no. 10. DEPARTMENT REPORTS – Police, Fire, Health-Housing & Welfare, Public Works, Permit Center, UNIT, Elderly, Library, Dream Homes A motion was made by Councilman Cavo and seconded by Councilman Perkins that as all members have copies and copies are available of the Department Reports in the Legislative Assistant’s office, to waive the reading of The Departmental reports. The motion carried unanimously. Mayor Boughton noted Kara Prunty will continue in the position of Acting Director of Health and has received recognition from the State of Connecticut for her hard work. Acting Health Director Prunty provided a COVID-19 update including an alert issued by the State on August 21st due to an uptick in the number of cases. Over 3,000 have been tested since then, and she reviewed the positivity rate. Ms. Prunty encouraged those who are feeling ill to get tested and citizens to continue following guidelines. She responded to Council questions regarding the PCR replication rates, numbers of homeless at the Super 8 and future plans, and that the schools are looking at different teaching platforms in an effort to different learning styles. Mayor Boughton responded to questions regarding distance learning and whether there are any future models to get children back into the classroom by stating they are following the science with the School District doing evaluations. Councilman Salvatore commended the work of the Fire Police, Police, Public Works, Health Department during the recent storms. Chief Omasta responded to questions and reviewed the efforts of volunteers and staff during the recent storms. Public Services Superintendent Nolan responded to Councilman Perkins regarding why the storm knocked out so many trees and so much power, tree trimming, and the status of Grant Street construction. Mayor Boughton responded to Councilman Chianese regarding Richfield's tree trimming noting Eversource does the trimming and has staffing issues. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Boughton extended all Committees. A motion was made by Councilman Rotello, and was seconded by Councilman Chianese, to adjourn the City Council Meeting. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 9:21 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Lori Goor Recording Secretary Attest, Mark D. Boughton, Mayor