City Council

CITY COUNCIL VIRTUAL MEETING June 1, 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. VIRTUAL PUBLIC COMMENT Mayor Cavo read public comment as follows: • Tom Brown, 10 Valarie Lane, Danbury, regarding Agenda availability and Item 13. MINUTES - Minutes of the Council Meeting held May 6, 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 copies and copies are on file in the Legislative Assistant's Office. The motion carried unanimously. CONSENT CALENDAR 2. COMMUNICATION – Reappointments to Housing Authority Receive the communication and confirm the reappointment of Domenico Chieffalo and Raymond Yamin to the City of Danbury Housing Authority for terms ending December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2023 respectively. 5. COMMUNICATION – Annual Suspense List Receive the communication and approve the Annual Suspense List in the amount of $279,508.76 as presented by the Tax Collector. 8. RESOLUTION – Acquisition of Property – White Street Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing Mayor Joseph M. Cavo to execute the Project Authorization Letter and other related documents pertaining to the White Street Corridor safety and traffic flow improvements project when said documents are submitted to the city by the State Department of Transportation and that the city through the Office of Corporation Counsel is authorized to acquire the property interests set forth in the attached description of property rights to be acquired, in accordance with procedures established by state law, either by negotiation or eminent domain through the institution of suit against the interested property owners and holders of mortgages encumbering the property, if any, by January 1, 2022. Note for the record the following was removed from the Consent Calendar at the request of Councilman Chianese: 13. RESOLUTION – Speed and Aggressive Driving Enforcement Grant. 14. RESOLUTION – American Rescue Plan Act – Connecticut State Library 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 funding from the Connecticut State Library through the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the “American Rescue Plan Act” associated with the CARES Act of 2020, this funding not to exceed $3,000 will be used towards the purchase of new library furniture that is moveable and easy to clean, this funding must be expanded by September 30, 2022, and there is no local match required. 15. RESOLUTION – Cultural Commission Grant Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing Mayor Joseph M. Cavo, or Gregory Wencek, Coordinator of the Cultural Commission, as his designee, to accept funding from the Make Music Alliance in an amount not to exceed $750.00, such funds to be used for an annual international music festival held on June 21st, there is no city match required. A motion was made by Councilman Fox , and was seconded by Councilman Taborsak, to adopt the Consent Calendar with the removal of Item 13. The motion carried unanimously. 1. COMMUNICATION – Appointment of Fire Chief A motion was made by Councilman Mike Esposito, seconded by Councilwoman Stanley, to receive the correspondence and confirm the appointment of Richard E. Thode to the position of Chief of the Danbury Fire Department. Motion carried unanimously. 2. COMMUNICATION – Reappointments to Housing Authority *CONSENTED - as received. 3. COMMUNICATION – Donation to the Police Department A motion was made by Councilman Knapp, seconded by Councilman Perkins, to receive the communication from Chief of Police Ridenhour and accept the generous donation from the Leir Foundation in memory of Henry J. and Erna D. Leir for $10,000 for the Danbury Police Department and send the appropriate letter of thanks. Motion carried unanimously. 4. COMMUNICATION – Rogers Park Field Naming, Field #4 A motion was made by Councilman Henry, seconded by Councilman Santos, to receive the communication approving the naming of Field #4 at Rogers Park after Jerry Dennehy. Motion carried unanimously. 5. COMMUNICATION – Annual Suspense List *CONSENTED - as received. 6. COMMUNICATION – Appointment of Independent Auditors Finance Director St. Hilaire responded to Council questions regarding RSM US LLP, the audit, and billing. A motion was made by Councilman Priola, seconded by Councilman Chianese, to receive the communication, accept the recommendation and appointment of RSM US LLP as the City's Independent Auditors and Accounting Firm for the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2021 and required by the City Charter and State Statutes. Motion carried unanimously. 7. COMMUNICATION – Water Main Upgrade- 56 Town Hill Ave. & Park Place Public Works Director Iadarola responded to questions regarding the project details. A motion was made by Councilwoman Stanley, seconded by Councilman Palma, to receive the communication and accept the donation of labor valued at approximately $40,000 as well as the easement associated with the upgrade of the old water main connection and send Mr. DaSilva a letter of appreciation. Motion carried unanimously. 8. RESOLUTION – Acquisition of Property – White Street *CONSENTED - as received. 9. RESOLUTION – Kennedy Avenue Bridge over Still River Deputy Corporation Counsel Pinter responded to questions regarding the agreement and supplemental funding from the State. A motion was made by Councilman Fox, seconded by Councilman Mike Esposito, to receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing Mayor Joseph M. Cavo to sign the grant agreement or any other associated agreements or documents necessary to effectuate the purpose of said agreement between the State of Connecticut and the City of Danbury for Kennedy Avenue Bridge over Still River, Bridge No. 04176 and to execute on behalf of the City of Danbury all contracts, agreements or amendments and to take all actions necessary to accomplish the purposes of this funding. Motion carried unanimously. 10. RESOLUTION – Connecticut Department of Housing Emergency Shelter Grant Finance Director St. Hilaire responded to questions regarding how the grant impacts the budget as related to the Super 8 and eventually Pacific House. Interim Public Health Director Prunty responded to questions regarding numbers at the Super 8.  A motion was made by Councilman DiGilio, seconded by Councilman Chianese, to receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing Joseph M. Cavo, Mayor of the City of Danbury, or Kara M. Prunty, Acting Director of Health as his designee, to apply for and accept said funds related to the State of Connecticut Department of Housing Emergency Shelter Grant amendment in the amount of $138,264 to fund emergency shelter operational expenses for two additional years through June 30, 2023 as presented. Motion carried unanimously. 11. RESOLUTION – Watershed Management Study – Danbury High School A motion was made by Councilman Levy, seconded by Councilman Rotello, to adopt the Resolution and authorize the Public Works Department to partner with Western Connecticut State University in a program, Finding Our Way, and authorize Joseph M. Cavo, Mayor; Timothy Nolan, Superintendent of Public Services; or their designee, to execute all documents to effectuate this program. Motion carried unanimously. 12. RESOLUTION – NRWIB Youth Employment A motion was made by Councilman Mike Esposito, seconded by Councilman Taborsak, to receive the correspondence and adopt the Resolution from the City of Danbury to apply for and accept funding in the amount not-to-exceed $96,100 for the Northwest Regional Workshop for the Connecticut Youth Employment Program 2021 and 2022 beginning on July 25, 2021 and ending on June 15, 2022. Motion carried unanimously. 13. RESOLUTION – Speed and Aggressive Driving Enforcement Grant This item was removed from the Consent Calendar at the request of Councilman Chianese. Police Chief Ridenhour responded to questions regarding the program, speed studies, and enforcement in certain areas of town that inquiries were made on. A motion was made by Councilman DiGilio, seconded by Councilman Mike Esposito, to receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing Mayor Joseph M. Cavo, or Police Chief Patrick Ridenhour, as his designee, to accept the grant funds in the amount of $50,000 from the the State of Connecticut Department of Transportation, Highway Safety Office's “2021 Speed and Aggressive Driving Enforcement” program, with an anticipated project period of July 1, 2021 through September 6, 2021, as presented. Motion carried unanimously. 14. RESOLUTION – American Rescue Plan Act – Connecticut State Library *CONSENTED - as received. 15. RESOLUTION – Cultural Commission Grant *CONSENTED - as received. 16. AD HOC REPORT – J. Earl Associates - Airport Lease A motion was made by Councilman DiGilio, and was seconded by Councilman Rotello, to waive the reading of the report as all members have copies and copies are on file. Motion carried unanimously.  A motion was made by Councilman Fox, and seconded by Councilman DiGilio, to receive the report of the Ad Hoc Committee and to adopt the Committee's recommendation to amend the lease between the City of Danbury and J. Earl Associates to include two additional five-year extension options to February 3, 2043. Hearing no objection, Mayor Cavo so ordered. 17. DEPARTMENT REPORTS – Police, Fire, Statement of Condition Health-Housing & Welfare, Public Works, Permit Center, UNIT, Elderly, Library, Parks & Recreation Director Kaplanis responded to Councilman Knapp regarding the status of various park opening status and to Councilman Perkins regarding lifeguard rentals. Councilman John Esposito commended Police Chief Ridenhour and his staff for responding to recent noise complaints. Police Chief Ridenhour responded to Councilman Rotello regarding the decline in crime, but the increases in motor vehicle thefts and possible reasons for these crimes of opportunity. He also responded to Councilman Palma regarding complaints about scooters. Councilman Perkins commented on speeding and commended Public Works Director Iadarola regarding Long Ridge and Grant Street road conditions. Councilman Visconti concurred and also thanked Tom Hughes and Tim Nolan. Councilman Visconti commended Director of Veterans' Affairs Hayes and Council of Veterans for the program at the Rose Garden this weekend. Director of Veterans' Affairs Hayes noted there was a great loss of Veterans this year, and thanked Towne Clerk Giegler for her assistance with paperwork during those difficult times. Mayor Cavo responded to Councilman Salvatore regarding when City Council will return to in-person meetings with regard to Chamber's renovations. He responded to Councilman Molinaro on whether vaccinations will be required at that time. Councilman Visconti commented on the importance of conferring with the Interim Public Health Director at that time. Corporation Counsel Pinter responded to Councilman Salvatore's questions regarding continued use of Zoom. A motion was made by Councilman DiGilio, and was seconded by Councilman Perkins, to waive the reading of the Minutes in the reports as all members have copies and copies are on file, and accept the Department Reports as presented. Motion carried unanimously. ADJOURNMENT Copies of Agenda Items are available in the Legislative Assistants Office Mayor Cavo reappointed an Ad Hoc Committee that was formed in August, 2016 (Item 4 on that Agenda), related to ATVs and dirt bikes on City Streets with Fox as Chair, Cammisa, and Perkins along with a representative from the Mayor's Office, Corporation Counsel, Chief of Police, and a representative from the UNIT. He extended all other committees. 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 9:09 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Lori Goor Recording Secretary Attest, Mark D. Boughton, Mayor