City Council

CITY COUNCIL VIRTUAL MEETING July 7, 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 Fire Chief Thode. Councilman DiGilio led all in prayer. ROLL CALL: COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Alves, Buzaid, M. Esposito, Levy, Salvatore, Stanley, Taborsak, Fox, Priola, Henry, DiGilio, Rotello, Visconti, Knapp, J. Esposito, Santos, Perkins, Chianese and Cammisa. COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Palma, and Molinaro PRESENT: 19, ABSENT: 2. ALSO PRESENT: Robert J. Yamin, Corporation Counsel; Les Pinter, Deputy Corporation Counsel; David St. Hilaire, Finance Director, and Jean Natale, Legislative Assistant. PUBLIC INPUT Mayor Cavo read public comment as follows: • Tom Brown, 10 Valarie Lane, Danbury, regarding Department Reports, Item 7 and Item 10. MINUTES - Minutes of the Council Meeting held June 1, 2021 A motion was made by Councilman Digilio, and was seconded by Councilman Chianese, 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 5. COMMUNICATION – Richter Park Authority Receive the communication and confirm the appointment of David J. Lajoie and the re-appointment of Robert Eberhard, Albert Mead, Jr., Judith A. Griemsmann, John Priola, Leroy D. Diggs, Peter J. Siecienski, Wendy Grispin, and George Radachowsky as members and the re-appointment of Felix Bonacci and Paul Dinardo as alternate members of the Richter Park Authority, all with terms to expire July 1, 2024. 6. COMMUNICATION – Surplus List Receive the communication and declare the attached list as surplus and approve the request to dispose of these items at an online public auction in accordance with Section 2-211 of the Code of Ordinances.  A motion was made by Councilman Fox, and was seconded by Councilman Perkins, to adopt the Consent Calendar. The motion carried unanimously. 1. COMMUNICATION – Promotion – Police Department – Captain - Bishop A motion was made by Councilman Mike Esposito, seconded by Councilman Perkins, to receive the correspondence and confirm the appointment and promotion of Lieutenant Bryan Bishop to the position of Captain of the Danbury Police Department. Motion carried unanimously. 2. COMMUNICATION – Promotion – Police Department - Captain - Sturdevant A motion was made by Councilwoman Cammisa, seconded by Councilman Rotello, to receive the correspondence and confirm the appointment and promotion of Police Lieutenant Mike Sturdevant to the position of Captain of the Danbury Police Department. Motion carried unanimously. 3. COMMUNICATION – Promotion – Police Department - Lieutenant-Georgoulis A motion was made by Councilman DiGilio seconded by Councilwoman Stanley, to receive the correspondence and confirm the appointment and promotion of Police Sergeant Matthew Georgoulis to the position of Lieutenant of the Danbury Police Department. Motion carried unanimously. 4. COMMUNICATION – Promotion – Police Department - Lieutenant – Marcus A motion was made by Councilman Henry, seconded by Councilman Salvatore, to receive the correspondence and confirm the appointment and promotion of Detective Sergeant Adam Marcus to the position of Lieutenant of the Danbury Police Department. Motion carried unanimously. 5. COMMUNICATION – Appointment and Reappointment – Richter Pk. Authority *CONSENTED - as received. 6. COMMUNICATION – Disposal of Surplus Vehicles, Furniture and Computer Equipment *CONSENTED - as received. *********At approximately 7:55pm the City Council Meeting was interrupted. The meeting was disconnected From the live stream on you tube and the first portion of the meeting was removed due to inappropriate language. A new zoom link was sent to City Council members and Department Heads. The meeting continued via live Stream on you tube for public viewing.******** 7. COMMUNICATION – Donation – Lions Club Rowan Street Children’s Park Councilman Levy noted the Danbury Lions Club supports many local projects. Councilman Santos commented the Danbury Lions Club provides great support to local schools. A motion was made by Councilwoman Stanley, seconded by Councilman J. Esposito, to receive the communication and accept the donation from Lions Club International Chicago for $3,410.25. In addition, accept the contribution from the Danbury Lions Club Treasury for $3,889.75.totaling $ 7,300.00 The funds will be used to purchase several large trees, plants, signage, other improvements and send the appropriate letter of thanks. Motion carried unanimously. 8. RESOLUTION – Solar Project Mayor Cavo commented the Ad Hoc will consist of Councilman Levy, Councilman Fox and Councilman Chianese. A motion was made by Councilman Knapp, seconded by Councilman (inaudible), to receive the communication and refer to a ad-hoc with the Corporation Council, Director of Finance, City Engineer, School Superintendent,a Johnson Control representative , a representative of the Mayor's Office,and a Engineer Consultant with MB5. Mayor Cavo appointed Councilmen-Levy as chair and Councilmen Fox and Chianese. Motion carried unanimously. 9. RESOLUTION – Refunding of General Obligation Funds A motion was made by Councilman Levy, seconded by Councilman Visconti, to adopt the Resolution and authorize the Mayor and City Treasurer to effectuate issuance in sale of the City of Danbury Connecticut General Obligation Refund Bonds, not to exceed $27 million. Motion carried unanimously. 10. DEPARTMENT REPORTS – Police, Fire, Health-Housing & Welfare, Public Works, Permit Center, UNIT, Elderly, Library, Councilman Taborsak commented (inaudible). Mayor Cavo discussed the ratings conference call he attended. He noted the City of Danbury received an AA+ rating and AAA+ rating. The City will continue to receive the best rate for bonding money. He responded to Councilman Perkins regarding the types of plants to be planted in the park. He also responded to Councilman Taborsak regarding the Super 8 motel. Director of Finance, St. Hilaire discussed the bonding rates. He noted the City is paying $58,000.00 for $50 million. The City will be saving $2 million in bond refunds in July and seven bond refunds amounted to $6.6 million in savings, with $125 million in refunded bonds. He responded to Councilman Perkins regarding taking advantage of low interest rates to resolve debt. He also responded to Councilman Rotello regarding the bond market. 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 in the Clerks Office, and accept the Department Reports as presented. Motion carried unanimously. ADJOURNMENT Copies of Agenda Items are available in the Legislative Assistant’s Office A motion was made by Councilwoman Cammisa, and was seconded by Councilman Rotello, to adjourn the City Council Meeting. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 9:09 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Christina Martinez Attest- Joseph M. Cavo, Mayor Recording Secretary