City Council

CITY COUNCIL VIRTUAL MEETING March 2, 2021 Honorable Mayor, Joseph 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 Buzaid. 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. ANNOUNCEMENTS Councilman DiGilio presented Former Mayor Mark D. Boughton with a plaque and a framed dais nameplate in honor of his 10th Mayoral Term and 20 years of exemplary service. Former Mayor Mark D. Boughton thanked the Council, the Council Presidents, Majority and Minority Leaders, his Chiefs of Staff, and the Legislative Assistant. He stated it was an honor to serve the City. Former Mayor Boughton noted his appreciation for the fact that everyone worked together so well and always came together regardless of their views on issues. Councilman DiGilio presented Mayor Joseph M. Cavo with a plaque in honor of his 17 years of service on the City Council and his 14 years as City Council President. Mayor Joseph M. Cavo thanked the Council noting it is a great honor to replace Former Mayor Boughton when he went to work for the Governor. He stated it has been a great privilege to serve on the Council and to now serve as Mayor. PUBLIC SPEAKING Mayor Cavo read the following letter into the record: • James and Laura Bigham, 22 Flintlock Drive, Danbury, regarding Item 4. • Steven Fanning, 186 Middle River Road, Danbury, regarding Item 2. • Brian Hatch, 24 Star Road, Danbury, regarding Item 2. • James Leclerc, 26 Saddlerock Road, Danbury, regarding Item 2. • Charles Coakley, 213 Great Plain Road, Danbury, regarding Item 2. • Lynn Coakley, 213 Great Plain Road, Danbury, regarding Item 2.  • Teresa Vegerano, 41 Pocano Lane, Danbury, regarding Item 2. • Robert Powell, 18 Barnum Road, Danbury, regarding Item 2. • Chris DiMarco, 88 Ball Pond Road, Danbury, regarding Item 2. • Paul Salvatore, 20 Brighton Street, Danbury, regarding Item 2. • John Salamone, 15 Fillmore Avenue, Danbury, regarding Item 2. • Patricia O'Connor, 24 Ole Musket Lane, Danbury, regarding Item 2. • Eric Svege, 26 Driftway Road, Danbury, regarding Item 2. • Karen Gay, 23 Valerie Lane, Danbury, regarding Item 2. • Jim Gay, 23 Valerie Lane, Danbury, regarding Item 2. • Michael Rocco, 24 Driftway Road, Danbury, regarding Item 2. • Laura Shirelle, 4 Glenaire Drive, Danbury, regarding Item 2. [Last Name and Street name unclear] • Stephen Johnson, 6A Terry Drive, Danbury, regarding Item 2. • Elizabeth Kelly, 106 Great Plain Road, Danbury, regarding Item 2. • Rochelle and Anthony Catalano, 15 Bittersweet Drive, Danbury, regarding Item 2. • Catherine Snow, 6 Lindencrest Drive, Danbury, regarding Item 2. • John Snow, 6 Lindencrest Drive, Danbury, regarding Item 2. • Jason Sherwood, 6 Spruce Mountain Road, Danbury, regarding Item 2. MINUTES - Minutes of the Council Meeting held February 2, 2021 A motion was made by Councilman DiGilio, and was seconded by Councilman Perkins, to waive the reading of the Minutes as all members have a copy and copies are on file in the office of the Legislative Assistant as well as on the website. The motion carried unanimously. CONSENT CALENDAR 5. RESOLUTION – American Library Association Grant Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing Mayor Joseph M. Cavo, or Katie Pearson, Library Director, as his designee to apply for and accept grant funding made available through the American Library Association (ALA) in partnership with the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History through its "Revisiting the Founding Era" program, in an amount not to exceed $800.00, this funding to be used by the Danbury Library to assist in developing informative programs about the American Founding Era (1774-1797) for adults and children, no local match is required. 6. RESOLUTION – United Way Funding – Elderly Services Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing Mayor Joseph M. Cavo, or Susan Tomanio, Director of Elderly Services, as his designee to apply for and accept grant funding made available through the United Way of Western Connecticut through its "COVID-19 Meal Delivery" program in an amount not to exceed $1,470.00, this funding to be used to help provide meals to seniors until the Senior Center is able to re-open, 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 – FuelCell Energy Memorandum of Understanding A motion was made by Councilman Henry, seconded by Councilman Chianese, to receive the communication and accept the donation of $25,000 for fuel cell energy in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding between FuelCell Energy and the City of Danbury approved in 2019 and send the appropriate letter of thanks. Motion carried unanimously. 2. COMMUNICATION – Property Tax Abatement for Volunteer Firefighters, EMT and Paramedics A motion was made by Councilman Knapp, seconded by Councilman Chianese, to receive the communication and recall the previous Ad Hoc and include in the upcoming Ad Hoc Corporation Counsel, Director of Finance, Tax Assessor, Fire Chief and/or his designee, and the Firemen's Council President. Deputy Corporation Counsel Pinter responded to Mayor Cavo that it would not be in accordance with past precedent to appoint a non-Councilmember to an Ad Hoc Committee, although members of the public can attend and be called on by the Chair at the meetings. Mayor Cavo referred to the Ad Hoc Committee that was formed in January, 2007 Number 9. Property Tax Abatement (for Volunteer Firefighters, EMT and Paramedics) with Corporation Counsel, Director of Finance, Tax Assessor, Fire Chief and/or his designee, and replace the two members on that Committee with Knapp as Chair, and Priola, and Perkins, who was previously on the Committee. 3. COMMUNICATION – Notice of Lease - Jay Earl Assoc. A motion was made by Councilman DiGilio, seconded by Councilman Chianese, refer to an Ad Hoc with Corporation Counsel, Airport Administrator, Director of Finance, and the Petitioner being invited. Hearing no objections, Mayor Cavo so ordered with Fox as Chair, Levy and Visconti. 4. COMMUNICATION – Petition for City Acceptance of Private Road – Flintlock Rd. A motion was made by Councilman Fox, seconded by Councilman Chianese, to receive the communication and refer to an Ad Hoc Committee consisting of Corporation Counsel, City Engineer, the Tax Assessor, and a report from Planning. Hearing no objections, Mayor Cavo so ordered with Fox as Chair, Michael Esposito, and Taborsak. 5. RESOLUTION – American Library Association Grant *CONSENTED - as received. 6. RESOLUTION – United Way Funding – Elderly Services *CONSENTED - as received. 7. RESOLUTION – PCLB Foundation Grant – Elderly Services A motion was made by Councilwoman Cammisa, seconded by Councilman Rotello, to accept the Resolution allowing the City of Danbury to apply for and accept the funding from the Peter and Carmen Lucia Buck Foundation in the amount of $50,000; there is no City match required. Motion carried unanimously. 8. RESOLUTION – Airport Corona Virus Response Grant Program A motion was made by Councilman Priola, seconded by Councilwoman Stanley, to receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing Mayor Joseph M. Cavo and/or Airport Administrator Michael Safranek to apply to the Federal Aviation Administration to obtain grant funding in the amount of $57,162 for the above stated uses, and if the grant is approved, to execute any necessary documents and take any additional actions necessary to effectuate the purposes thereof. Motion carried unanimously. 9. DEPARTMENT REPORTS – Police, Fire, Health-Housing & Welfare, Public Works, Permit, UNIT, Elderly, Library Councilman Levy commended Acting Health Director Kara Prunty for the outstanding job she has done with regard to the COVID-19 vaccine program, Mayor Cavo, Councilman Molinaro, Councilman Mike Esposito, Councilman Taborsak, Councilman Visconti, and Councilman Salvatore, concurred. Councilman Taborsak thanked Acting Health Director Kara Prunty for her work on the Super 8. Mayor Cavo responded to his questions regarding an adverse decision on a court case in Hartford related to the Dorothy Day Center noting they have been working with the State and Pacific House daily toward the goal of getting the Super 8 established as a homeless shelter in Danbury. Councilman Salvatore noted the Governor expanded the number of people who can give vaccines and asked if there has been an increase in non-nursing and non-physicians personnel assisting, and what the need is. Acting Health Director Prunty noted they are always looking for more people to vaccinate and they have a strong volunteer pool and she urged those eligible to apply on the website. Mayor Cavo thanked Public Relations Coordinator Taylor O'Brien for her work with Ms. Prunty. Councilman Molinaro recognized the Neighborhood Assistance Program for assistance to homeless people. A motion was made by Councilman DiGilio, and was seconded by Councilman Taborsak, to waive the reading as all members have copies in front of them. The motion carried unanimously. Mayor Cavo stated he will sunset the following committees: 2013 Host Community Benefit Agreement Winter Brothers; March 2014 Item 15. Lease of Property at 84 Hospital Avenue; October 2014 Item 4. Request for Use of Land at the Old Mallory Hat Factory; September 2015 Item 4. Praxair Deferral of Assessment; and August 2016 Item 1. Satellite Dish Device Regulation. Mayor Cavo extended all Committees. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Councilman Rotello, and was seconded by Councilman Palma, to adjourn the City Council Meeting. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Lori Goor Recording Secretary Attest, Joseph Cavo