City Council

CITY COUNCIL VIRTUAL MEETING April 6, 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 Finance Director St. Hilaire. 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 Mayor Cavo made the announcements for the Month of April. PUBLIC SPEAKING Mayor Cavo read the following letters into the record: Tom Brown, 10 Valerie Lane, Danbury, regarding Item 18. Gladys Cooper, Danbury, regarding Item 18. BUDGET ADDRESS Mayor Cavo presented the Budget Address. MINUTES - Minutes of the Council Meeting held March 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 Legislative Assistant's Office. The motion carried unanimously. CONSENT CALENDAR 8. COMMUNICATION - Appointment - Board of Assessment Appeals Receive the communication and confirm the appointment of Whilma O’Leary to the Board of Assessment appeals. 10. COMMUNICATION – Vacancy – Zoning Commission Alternate Receive the communication and confirm the appointment of Jason Eriquez as an alternate member of the Zoning Commission. A motion was made by Councilman Fox, and was seconded by Councilman Taborsak, to adopt the Consent Calendar as presented. The motion carried unanimously. 1. ORDINANCE & RESOLUTION - An Ordinance Making Appropriations for Fiscal Year Beginning July 1, 2021 and ending June 30, 2022, and a Resolution Levying the Property Tax for the Fiscal year beginning July 1, 2021 and ending June 30, 2022 A motion was made by Councilman Knapp, to receive the communication and refer to public comments. Hearing no objections, Mayor Cavo so ordered. 2. ORDINANCE - An Ordinance Appropriating $3,000,000 for Public Improvements in The 2021-2022 Capital Budget and Authorizing the Issuance of $3,000,000 Bonds of the City to meet said appropriations and pending the Issuance Thereof the making of Temporary borrowings For such purpose A motion was made by Councilman Priola, to receive the communication and refer for public comment, followed by a Committee of the Whole. Hearing no objection, Mayor Cavo so ordered. 3. ORDINANCE - Senior Tax Freeze A motion was made by Councilwoman Stanley, to receive the communication and refer for public comment, followed by a Committee of the Whole. Hearing no objection, Mayor Cavo so ordered. 4. RESOLUTION - Downtown Special Services District – Tax Levy A motion was made by Councilman DiGilio, seconded by Councilman Rotello, to receive the communication and table this item. Hearing no objection, Mayor Cavo went to the next item on the Agenda. 5. COMMUNICATION - Bond Issue – Danbury Career Academy A motion was made by Councilman DiGilio, to receive the communication and refer for public comment, as well as a Committee of the Whole. Hearing no objection, Mayor Cavo so ordered. 6. COMMUNICATION - Appointments to the Police Department A motion was made by Councilman Mike Esposito, seconded by Councilman John Esposito, to receive the correspondence and confirm the appointment of Christopher Campanero to the position of Police Officer in the City of Danbury. Motion carried unanimously. A motion was made by Councilwoman Stanley, seconded by Councilman Molinaro, to receive the communication and confirm the appointment of D'Andre Perkins to the position of Police Officer in the City of Danbury Police Department. Motion carried unanimously.  A motion was made by Councilman Henry, seconded by Councilwoman Stanley, to receive the communication and confirm the appointment of Christopher Spennato the position of Police Officer in the City of Danbury Police Department. Motion carried unanimously. A motion was made by Councilwoman Cammisa, seconded by Councilman Rotello, to accept the communication and confirm the appointment of Christopher Rodriguez to the position of Police Officer in the City of Danbury Police Department. Motion carried unanimously. 7. COMMUNICATION - Head Start Program/CIFC – 80 Main Street A motion was made by Councilman Fox, to receive the communication and refer to an Ad Hoc Committee consisting of Corporation Counsel, the Director of Finance, the Director of Public Buildings, and the Petitioner. Hearing no objection, Mayor Cavo so ordered the Ad Hoc with DiGilio as Chair, Levy, and Santos. 8. COMMUNICATION - Appointment - Board of Assessment Appeals *CONSENTED - as received. 9. COMMUNICATION – Supplemental Funds – Corporation Counsel A motion was made by Councilman Mike Esposito, seconded by Councilman Rotello, to receive the correspondence from the Director of Finance and Corporation Counsel, and approve the supplemental funds for fiscal year 2021 these appropriations will come from fund balance litigation account 002-3700.051 in the amount of $225,000. Motion carried unanimously. 10. COMMUNICATION – Vacancy – Zoning Commission Alternate *CONSENTED - as received. 11. RESOLUTION - 2021 Neighborhood Assistance Act A motion was made by Councilman Knapp, to receive the communication and refer for public comment, and to a Committee of the Whole. Hearing no objection, Mayor Cavo so ordered. 12. RESOLUTION – Official Intent Funding – General Obligation Bonds Finance Director St. Hilaire, and Public Works Director Iadarola, and Mayor Cavo responded to questions regarding program details and deadlines. A motion was made by Councilman DiGilio, seconded by Councilman Rotello, to receive the communication and adopt the Resolution of official intent to reimburse expenditures with the proceeds of taxes and bonds and provide authorization for up to $1.75 million for said preliminary expenditures relating to the Danbury Career Academy Project with the preauthorization cap amount to be appropriated from funds allocated to the City under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 as presented. Motion carried unanimously. 13. RESOLUTION – ARPA-E Funding Opportunity for Research and Development Public Works Director Iadarola responded to questions regarding the project.  A motion was made by Councilman Levy, seconded by Councilman Visconti, to adopt and authorize the Resolution Agenda Item 13-2 as part of the upgrade of the City of Danbury Wastewater Treatment Plant to install a biodiesel plant as an alternate energy source and work with Eukon REA Viola and Advanced Research Project Agency E to plan and bring this alternative energy plant to Danbury. Motion carried unanimously. 14. RESOLUTION – Request for Authorization to Apply for Corridor Study Grants Finance Director St. Hilaire responded to questions regarding why the City is funding part of the program, and Public Works Director Iadarola responded to questions regarding the Corridor Study and timeline. A motion was made by Councilman Henry, seconded by Councilman Molinaro, to receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing Joseph M. Cavo, Mayor of the City of Danbury, or Antonio Iadarola, Director of Public Works/City Engineer as his designee, to apply for a grant from the Connecticut Department of Transportation for a Corridor Study for travel conditions along the White Street and Newtown Road Corridor in the amount not-to-exceed $150,000 with a City match of 10% or $15,000 are to be charged to the SNAPP 2020.3001-700.0501 and to sign the grant application and any other documents associated with the grant if awarded. Motion carried unanimously. 15. RESOLUTION – 555 Fitness Grant – Fire Department Interim Fire Chief Ford responded to questions regarding where the equipment will go. A motion was made by Councilwoman Cammisa, seconded by Councilman Rotello, to accept the communication to allow the City of Danbury Fire Department to apply for a grant and accept fitness equipment with 555 Fitness Inc. Strength is Our Foundation grant with no local match required. Motion carried unanimously. 16. AD HOC REPORT – Governmental Entities Review Board A motion was made by Councilman Rotello, and was seconded by Councilman DiGilio, to waive the reading of the Minutes as they are on file as all members have copies. The motion carried unanimously. A motion was made by Councilman Priola, and seconded by Councilman DiGilio, to receive the communication and refer for public comment. Hearing no objection, Mayor Cavo so ordered. 17. AD HOC REPORT – Property Lease – Airport (J. Earl Associates) A motion was made by Councilman DiGilio, and was seconded by Councilman Perkins, to waive the reading of the Minutes as everyone has a copy. The motion carried unanimously. Deputy Corporation Counsel Pinter responded to questions regarding the pending appraisal. A motion was made by Councilman Fox, and seconded by Councilman Visconti, to receive the Ad Hoc Committee report and adopt the recommendation of the Committee to authorize the assignment of the lease between the City of Danbury and J. Earl Associates Condominium LLC dated February 3, 2003 to J. Earl Associates Condominium Inc. conditioned on the procurement of an independent real estate appraisal to be paid for by the lessee which appraisal shall be used to establish a revised final amount acceptable to the City all in accordance with lease addendum paragraph 6 for the balance of any terms of the lease agreement. Such revised rent to be adjusted subsequently pursuant to addendum paragraph 12. The motion passed unanimously. 18. DEPARTMENT REPORTS – Police, Fire, Health-Housing & Welfare, Public Works, Permit Center, UNIT, Elderly, Library Public Works Director Iadarola completed his comments regarding a white paper and research into alternative fuels. Police Chief Ridenhour was commended for hiring local individuals. He and Acting Health Director Prunty responded to Councilman Santos regarding protocols for events that could lead to COVID outbreaks. Ms. Prunty and the Health Department Team was commended on the busy and orderly vaccine process. Mayor Cavo noted he never gets complaints about the vaccine clinics noting the smooth, methodical process and great volunteers. Councilman Salvatore was thanked for volunteering. Councilman Taborsak inquired regarding homeless numbers and a grant that is coming to a close. Acting Health Director Prunty further described the activities at the Super 8 and the grant. Mayor Cavo discussed negotiations at the Super 8. Councilman Salvatore thanked Acting Health Director Prunty for handling the crowds at the vaccination site. Councilman Perkins commented on a recent large drug bust and asked Chief Ridenhour if there was anything the City could do to assist in community policing. Chief Ridenhour expressed appreciation for the support and will reach out when needed. Councilman Chianese commended Acting Director Prunty. He was informed the Memorial Day Parade will not be taking place. Mr. Iadarola responded to questions regarding the paving program, and work on Newtown Road. A motion was made by Councilman DiGilio, and was seconded by Councilwoman Cammisa, to waive the reading as all members have copies and copies are on file in the office of the Legislative Assistant. The motion carried unanimously. Mayor Cavo named the Budget Committee for 2021: General Government I - Knapp as Chair, Cammisa, Buzaid, Perkins, and John Esposito General Government II - Fox as Chair, Knapp, Palma, Salvatore, and Alves Public Works - Stanley as Chair, DiGilio, Henry, Taborsak, and Chianese Health, Housing, and Public Safety - Priola as Chair, DiGilio, Mike Esposito, Rotello, and Santos Education - Levy as Chair, Fox, Stanley, Molinaro, and Visconti Mayor Cavo extended all Committees. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Councilman Rotello, and was seconded by Councilwoman Cammisa, to adjourn the City Council Meeting. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m. Mayor Cavo noted there will be a Bond Workshop April 12, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. via Zoom. Respectfully Submitted, Lori Goor Recording Secretary Attest, Joseph M. Cavo, Mayor