City Council

CITY COUNCIL MEETING August 3, 2021 Honorable Mayor, Joseph M. Cavo, called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE & PRAYER The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Sean Hatch. Councilman DiGilio led all in prayer. ROLL CALL: COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Alves, Buzaid, M. Esposito, Levy, Fox, Digilio, Rotello, Visconti, Salvatore, Stanley, Taborsak, Priola, Palma, Henry, Knapp, J. Esposito, Perkins, Chianese, Cammisa and Molinaro. COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Santos. PRESENT: 20, ABSENT: 1. ALSO PRESENT: Robert J. Yamin, Corporation Counsel; Les Pinter, Deputy Corporation Counsel; David St. Hilaire, Finance Director, and Jean Natale, Legislative Assistant. PUBLIC INPUT Tom Brown, 10 Valerie Lane, Danbury, regarding (inaudible). Charles Setaro-Deer Hill Ave. commented on the Police Department reports and (inaudible). Unknown Speaker commented (inaudible). MINUTES - Minutes of the Council Meeting held July 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 – Re-appointment of Michael Safranek Receive the communication and confirm the re-appointment of Michael Safranek to serve as the Alarm Systems Hearing Officer and Citation Hearing Officer, both with terms expiring August 1st, 2024. 5. COMMUNICATION – Re-appointment of Edward Siergiej and Daniel Rosemark Receive the communication and confirm the re-appointment of Edward Siergiej and Daniel Rosemark to serve as members of the Candlewood Lake Authority, both with terms expiring August 3rd, 2024. 9. COMMUNICATION – State of Connecticut Department of Public Health 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 funding from the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health through its per capita funding for the 2021-2022 fiscal year to municipalities in accordance with Section 19a-202 of the Connecticut General Statutes, this funding not to exceed $163,459.42 will be used to execute the program formulated by the City of Danbury’s Health and Human Services Department to promote optimal health quality in the City of Danbury during the period of July 1st, 2021 through June 30th, 2022, no local match is required. 10. COMMUNICATION – 2020 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing Mayor Joseph M. Cavo, or Patrick Ridenhour, Chief of Police, as his designee, to apply for and accept funding from the US Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs (OJP) under the 2020 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program, this funding not to exceed $20,568 will be used by the City of Danbury Police Department to assist in enhancing law enforcement and police services within the community for the period of October 1, 2020 through September 30th, 2022, no local match is required. 11. COMMUNICATION – Community Development Block Grant Program Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing Mayor Joseph M. Cavo to approve and submit the City’s Annual Action Plans for Program Year 46 and Program Year 47 and make application on behalf of the City of Danbury to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development for grant funds for the Community Development Block Grant Program Year commencing August 1 st, 2020 through July 31st, 2021 for the Forty-Sixth Year Funding and commencing August 1st, 2021 through July 31st, 2022 for the Forty-Seventh Year Funding, in accordance with all pertinent laws and regulations and the Statement of Community Development Objectives and Projected Use of Funds proposed by the Mayor’s Community Development Program Policy Committee, and to execute all contracts and take all necessary actions to effectuate the purposes of this grant application. 12. COMMUNICATION – CDBG Annual Action Plan for Program Year 45 Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing Mayor Joseph M. Cavo to apply for and accept funding from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development’s allocated Community Development block Grant (CDBG) funds under the CARES Act, and to approve and submit a Substantial Amendment to the City’s CDBG Annual Action Plan for Program Year 45 in accordance with all pertinent laws and regulations and the Statement of Community Development Objectives and Projected Use of Funds proposed by the Mayor’s Community Development Program Policy Committee, and to execute all contracts and take all necessary actions to effectuate the purposes of this grant application. Councilman Chianese requested the language in item 2 be corrected to state "as per the August 2nd letter". Councilman M. Esposito opposed removing item 12 from the consent calendar. A motion was made by Councilman Fox, and was seconded by Councilman Perkins, to adopt the Consent Calendar as presented. The motion carried unanimously. A motion was made by Councilman Taborsak, and was seconded by Councilman Salvatore, to remove item 12 from the Consent Calendar. The motion carried unanimously. 1. COMMUNICATION – Disposition of City Land A motion was made by Councilman Knapp, to refer this to an Ad Hoc and with Corporation Council, Director of Planning, the City Engineer, the Director of Business Advocacy and a representative from the Mayor's office in attendance. The Mayor appointed Councilman Knapp in the chair, along with Councilmen Henry and Salvatore. Motion carried unanimously. 2. COMMUNICATION – Reappointment- Alarm and Citation Hearing Officer *CONSENTED - as received. 3. COMMUNICATION – Reappointments - The Candlewood Lake Authority *CONSENTED - as received. 4. COMMUNICATION – Request for City Sewer & Water Ext.-100 Saw Mill Road A motion was made by Councilman Henry, to refer the communication to the Planning Commission and City Engineer for reports. Motion carried unanimously. 5. COMMUNICATION – Request for Water Extension –53 Lake Avenue Extension A motion was made by Councilwoman Stanley, to refer this to the Planning Commission and the City Engineer for reports. Motion carried unanimously. 6. COMMUNICATION – Request for Sewer Extension – 85 Wooster Heights A motion was made by Councilman Mike Esposito, to refer this to the City Engineer and Planning Commission for reports. Motion carried unanimously. 7. COMMUNICATION - Authorization for Lease Financing A motion was made by Councilman DiGilio, seconded by Councilwoman Cammisa, to receive the communication and approve the request for authorization from the Director of Finance to pursue the existing lease refinancing in the amount of approximately $5.8 million and to finance the Solar Project in the amount of approximately $5.1 million. Both were that originally introduced on the July agenda item number 8, under a master lease agreement as presented here. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Hilaire responded to Councilman Perkins regarding solar panels. He also responded to Councilman Chianese regarding refinancing of existing leases. 8. RESOLUTION – Memorandum of Understanding with American Red Cross Mr. Cassavechia responded to Councilman Perkins regarding agreement responsibilities. He also responded to Councilman Chianese regarding relocating shelter to Danbury High School. Furthermore, he responded to Councilman Rotello regarding approval of plans and Councilman Fox regarding procedure timeline. In addition, he responded to Councilman Salvatore regarding Danbury's obligations. Mayor Cavo responded to Councilman Rotello regarding approval of plans.  A motion was made by Councilman Fox, seconded by Councilwoman Stanley, to receive the communication and adopt the resolution authorizing Mayor Joseph M. Cavo or Matthew Cassavechia Emergency Management Director as his designee to execute a memorandum of understand between the City of Danbury and the American Red Cross and take such other action as may be required for the purposes thereof. Motion carried unanimously. 9. RESOLUTION – Per Capita FY 2022 Grant Allocation *CONSENTED - as received. 10. RESOLUTION – 2021 Bryne DOJ Funding – Police Department *CONSENTED - as received. 11. RESOLUTION – Community Block Grant Program – Program Years 46 and 47 *CONSENTED - as received. 12. RESOLUTION – Federal CARES Act Funding - Community Development Block Grant –CDBG -CV Mr. Hilaire responded to Councilman Taborsak regarding the Mayor's Community Development Program Policy Committee. A motion was made by Councilman DiGilio, seconded by Councilman Palma, to receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing Mayor Joseph M. Cavo to apply for and accept funding from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development’s allocated Community Development block Grant (CDBG) funds under the CARES Act, and to approve and submit a Substantial Amendment to the City’s CDBG Annual Action Plan for Program Year 45 in accordance with all pertinent laws and regulations and the Statement of Community Development Objectives and Projected Use of Funds proposed by the Mayor’s Community Development Program Policy Committee, and to execute all contracts and take all necessary actions to effectuate the purposes of this grant application. Motion carried unanimously. 13. AD HOC REPORT – Solar Projects Mr. Hilaire responded to Councilman Taborsak regarding Johnson Controls. He also responded to Councilman Perkins regarding material reference information and contract details. Furthermore, he responded to Councilman John Esposito regarding annual maintenance costs and storm damage. Councilman Perkins abstained from the vote. A motion was made by Councilman DiGilio, seconded by Councilman Priola, to waive the reading of the report as all members have copies and copies are on file in the Legislative Assistant's Office. Motion carried unanimously. A motion was made by Councilman Priola, seconded by Councilman Visconti, to receive the communication and accept the report from the Ad Hoc Committee regarding the Solar Project and City buildings. Recommending the adoption of the resolution to enter in all agreements, applications and financing agreements, for the proposed Solar PV Project as presented to the community. Motion carried unanimously. 14. DEPARTMENT REPORTS – Police, Fire, Health-Housing & Welfare, Public Works, Permit Center,UNIT, Elderly, Library A motion was made by Councilman DiGilio and was seconded by Councilman Perkins, to accept the Department Reports as presented and waive the reading of the individual reports as all members have copies and copies are on file with the Legislative Assistant. Motion Carried unanimously Ms. Prunty, of the Health Dept. responded to Councilman Taborsak regarding available grant funding. She responded to Councilman Salvatore regarding the total number of people vaccinated in the City of Danbury. Mr. Hilaire responded to Councilman Perkins regarding COVID-19 funding for infrastructure. Mr. Iadarola responded to Councilman Perkins regarding using COVID-19 funds to address flooding issues and project bids. Mr. Hilaire discussed the importance of selecting a bidder that is able to meet the projects requirements. Councilman Rotello noted the Pleasant Street Avenue improvements look amazing. Chief Ridenhour, responded to Councilman Salvatore regarding the number of sworn personnel in the Police Dept. Mayor Cavo responded to Councilman Salvatore regarding mandating vaccines to increase vaccination rates. He noted the City received many letters from the public requesting the City does- not mandate vaccinations. Furthermore, he congratulated Mr. Iadarola and Mr. Hughes on Roger Park Field improvements. Councilman Perkins congratulated Mr. Iadarola on the side road improvements on Grand Street. ADJOURNMENT Copies of Agenda Items are available in the Legislative Assistant’s Office A motion was made by Councilman Perkins, and was seconded by Councilman Knapp, to adjourn the City Council Meeting. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Cavo extended all committees. The meeting adjourned at 8:54 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Christina Martinez Recording Secretary Attest, Joseph M. Cavo, Mayor