City Council

CITY COUNCIL VIRTUAL MEETING February 2, 2021 Honorable Mayor, Joseph M. Cavo, called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. via video conference. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE & PRAYER The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilman Molinaro. Councilman Palma 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, Mike Henry, Vinny DiGilio, 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 Cavo read the following letter into the record: • Tom Browne, 10 Valerie Lane, Danbury, regarding Item 8. MINUTES - Minutes of the Council Meeting held January 5, 2021 A motion was made by Councilman DiGilio, and was seconded by Councilman Knapp, to waive the reading of the Minutes as all members have a copy and copies are on posted in the office of the Legislative Assistant. The motion carried unanimously. 6. CONSENT CALENDAR 5. RESOLUTION - EFSP (Emergency Food and Shelter Program) Grant Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing Mayor Joseph M. Cavo, or Kara Marie Prunty, Acting Director of Health, as his designee to apply for and accept grant funding made available through the United Way through its Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP), in an amount not to exceed $2,500.00, this funding to be used for operating expenses at the City of Danbury homeless shelter and covers the period of January 1, 2020 - May 31, 2021, no local match is required. 7. RESOLUTION - Federal Assistant Grant Supplement - Fire Department Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing Mayor Joseph M. Cavo, or Kevin Ford, Fire Chief, as his designee to apply for and accept grant funding made available through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) through its "Assistance to Firefighters Grants" program in an amount not to exceed $8,000.00, this funding to be used by the Danbury Fire Department to purchase personal protective equipment (PPE) for pandemic response, a 10% local match or a maximum of $800.00 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. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Mayor Cavo welcomed Kevin Ford who will be Interim Fire Chief for six months. 1. COMMUNICATION - Appointment to the Police Department A motion was made by Councilman Mike Esposito, seconded by Councilman Chianese, to receive the correspondence and confirm the appointment of William Sample, Jr. to the position of Police Officer in the City of Danbury. Motion carried unanimously. 2. COMMUNICATION - Donation to the Fire Department - Bedoukian Research Inc. Interim Fire Chief Ford responded to questions and discussed the donation’s history and what it will be used for. A motion was made by Councilwoman Stanley, seconded by Councilman John Esposito, to receive the communication and accept the generous donation of $50,000 from Bedoukian Research Inc. to be used for training and rescue programs and equipment and send a letter of thanks. Motion carried unanimously. 3. COMMUNICATION - Donation to the Fire Department - Keystone Place Deputy Corporation Counsel Pinter responded to questions regarding a related item that came before the Council on October 6, 2020 as Item 10 noting this is an addendum to that and the modified lease will be forwarded to Councilman Salvatore as requested. He also clarified this is a lease, not ownership of the building. A motion was made by Councilman Fox, seconded by Councilman Rotello, to receive the communication and accept this most generous donation by the Rizzo Company of a facility for use by the Emergency Medical Services of the City of Danbury for a $1 annual lease with an estimate of the building's cost at $150,000 for construction and $3,000 of content and to send the appropriate letter of thanks to the Rizzo Company. Motion carried unanimously. 4. COMMUNICATION - Donation to the Police Department - The Summit @ Danbury Police Chief Ridenhour responded to questions regarding communications coverage on the Westside. A motion was made by Councilman Priola, seconded by Councilwoman Stanley, to receive the communication and accept the donation from The Summit @ Danbury for 100% funding of the installation of the Westside Radio Improvement Project. The total amount of the donation is estimated to be approximately $161,000 and an appropriate letter of thanks should be sent for this extremely generous donation. Motion carried unanimously. 5. RESOLUTION - EFSP (Emergency Food and Shelter Program) Grant *CONSENTED - as received. 6. RESOLUTION - Federal Assistant Grant - Fire Department Interim Fire Chief Ford reviewed the items the grant will be used for, answered questions regarding details, and confirmed that if the grant is awarded, he will inform the Council. Finance Director St. Hilaire and Deputy Corporation Counsel responded to procedural questions; it was clarified funds would come from the Operational Budget. A motion was made by Councilman Henry, seconded by Councilwoman Cammisa, to receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing Joseph M. Cavo, Mayor of the City of Danbury, or Kevin Ford, Fire Chief, as his designee, to apply for and accept this funding from FEMA in the amount not to exceed $400,000 with FEMA covering 90% and the City's responsibility is 10% or $40,000 and to do all things necessary to effectuate the purposes thereof. Motion carried unanimously. 7. RESOLUTION - Federal Assistant Grant Supplement - Fire Department *CONSENTED - as received. 8. AD HOC REPORT - CTIC/RILO A motion was made by Councilman DiGilio, and was seconded by Councilwoman Stanley, to waive the reading of the Minutes. The motion carried unanimously. In response to Council questions, Police Chief Ridenhour discussed details of financial aspects of the assignment and provided an overview of what the Officer would be doing; he noted the regional aspect involved. It will be evaluated for continuation at the end of the period to determine if the training is beneficial to the City. He responded to questions noting there is no connection to ICE, how the assignment will benefit the City and the position will remain on the active duty roster and could be recalled for any duties or overtime as necessary. A motion was made by Councilman Knapp, and was seconded by Councilman Palma, to receive the report of the Ad Hoc Committee and adopt the Resolution ratifying actions assigning an Officer to the Connecticut Intelligence Liaison Officer Program and also the acceptance of a Homeland Security grant for such purposes. The motion carried unanimously. ADD-ON : 10. RESOLUTION - Everybody Learns Grant from the Connecticut State Library A motion was made by Councilman DiGilio, and was seconded by Councilman Rotello, to add on Item 10. Resolution - Everybody Learns Grant from the Connecticut State Library. The motion carried unanimously. A motion was made by Councilwoman Cammisa, and seconded by Councilman Taborsak, to accept the additional $3,000 grant money from the Connecticut State Library for the Everybody Learns Grant to be added to the original awarded amount of $52,000. The motion passed unanimously. 9. DEPARTMENT REPORTS - Police, Fire, Health-Housing & Welfare, Public Works, Permit Center, UNIT, Elderly, Library, Dream Homes Councilmen Chianese and John Esposito commended the Public Works Department for their work during the recent storm. Councilman Santos thanked UNIT Coordinator Stillman and Director of Permit Coordination/Zoning Enforcement Officer Hearty for their professionalism related to an issue off Skyline. Councilman Rotello commended the Police Chief Ridenhour and his Department for maintaining the continuing decline in crime. Councilman Perkins welcomed William Sample to the Police Department of the City of Danbury. Public Works Director Iadarola responded to questions regarding the status of the traffic light at Seger and Park Avenue, and the condition of snow removal equipment. UNIT Coordinator Stillman responded to questions regarding number of commercial vehicles parked in several fourth ward neighborhoods. Acting Health Director Prunty provided a briefing on COVID-19 noting the 14 day average is 47.2 per 100,000 with a 6.6 positivity rate. Vaccinations are in full force in Connecticut and is in under Group 1A and those ages 75 and over is occurring every day. The group includes health care personnel, medical first responders, and long- term care facility residents. The Health Department has vaccinated just under 2,400 people. They are assisting seniors in appointments and transportation and there is a task force to address issues. Citizens in need of assistance are asked to call (203) 797-4625. To make an appointment call (877) 918-2224; all information is on the website. Mayor Cavo thanked Ms. Prunty, her staff, and the Senior Center for their work on scheduling. She responded to questions regarding the homeless at the Super 8 with 80 people currently there with cold weather protocols. Outreach team efforts were noted regarding homeless individuals in the downtown area. Vaccinations for those 65 and over (at appointment time) may be in the next few weeks. Finance Director St. Hilaire responded to questions regarding the Reddit raiders, noting the City takes a long- term approach to investments. Adjustments are made every quarter and there are approximately 30 different money managers, all of whom are diversified, within the pension plan. He responded regarding the Richter Park Driving Range loan repayment figures; the bridge loan is paid off. He will pass along their marketing report when updated. A motion was made by Councilman DiGilio, and was seconded by Councilman Perkins, accept the Department Reports, and waive their reading as everybody has copies. The motion carried unanimously. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Cavo extended all Committees. A motion was made by Councilman Knapp, and was seconded by Councilman Salvatore, to adjourn the City Council Meeting. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:59 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Lori Goor Recording Secretary Attest, Joseph M. Cavo, Mayor