City Council

CITY COUNCIL MEETING October 5, 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 Palma led all in prayer. ROLL CALL: COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Alves, Buzaid, J. Esposito, Levy, Fox, Digilio, Rotello, Salvatore, Taborsak, Priola, Palma, Henry, Knapp, M. Esposito, Santos, Perkins, Chianese, Cammisa and Molinaro. COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Visconti and Stanley. 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 Mr. Robinson , Melrose Ave., commented on the Police Department reports and false accusations against the Police Department. MINUTES - Minutes of the Council Meeting held September 9, 2021 Councilman Rotello requested the minutes include Councilman Perkins comments regarding the Emergency Medical Regional Program. Mr. Pinter noted Council can agree to amend the minutes to add Councilman Perkins comments. The Council agreed to add Councilman Perkins comments to the minutes. Councilman Perkins noted his comments were regarding the flood plans for the different regions, such as Main Street and West Street. 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 1. COMMUNICATION – Appointment – Zoning Board of Appeals Receive the communication and approve the appointment of Anthony Rebeiro to serve as a full member of the Zoning Board of Appeals with a term to expire on October 1st, 2024. 3. COMMUNICATION – Disposal of Surplus Vehicle and Equipment Receive the communication and declare the attached list as surplus and approve the request to dispose of these items via 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 as presented. The motion carried unanimously. 1. COMMUNICATION – Appointment – Zoning Board of Appeals *CONSENTED - as received. 2. COMMUNICATION – Authorization to Apply for State Grant (LOTCIP) Mr. Iadarola responded to Councilman Chianese regarding the third grant request. He noted grant funding is a yearly application process and the deadline is Friday, October 8, 2021. The grant presented before Council is a standalone grant. Furthermore, he responded to Councilman Taborsak regarding funding continuous sidewalks. He noted the City includes the sidewalk initiative as a key element in all projects. A motion was made by Councilman J. Esposito, seconded by Councilman Santos, to receive the communication authorize Mayor Joseph M. Cavo and/or Public Works Director & City Engineer Antonio Iadarola as his designee, to apply for and accept grant funding from the State of Connecticut for the Local Transportation Capital Improvement Program, for the White St. corridor from Meadow Street to the West of Triangle Street intersection. Motion carried unanimously. 3. COMMUNICATION – Disposal of Surplus Vehicle and Equipment *CONSENTED - as received. 4. COMMUNICATION – Acceptance of City Roadway – Corner Pond Court - Pondview Development A motion was made by Councilman Fox, to receive the communication and refer this item to an Ad Hoc Committee consisting of the City Engineer, Corporation Counsel, and a report from the Planning Commission. The Mayor appointed Councilman Henry in the chair, along with Councilmen Knapp and Rotello. Motion carried unanimously. 5. RESOLUTION – Barclay-Giel Seed Grant Ms. Prunty responded to Councilman Chianese regarding the outcome of the study. The City will be partnering with Danbury High graduates who developed a prototype that detects tobacco smoke. Councilman Digilio requested Council adopt the resolution, which Council agreed. A motion was made by Councilman Buzaid, seconded by Councilman Palma, for Mayor Joseph M. Cavo, Mayor of the City of Danbury, Kara Prunty, Director of Health, as his designee is hereby authorized to apply for Barclay-Giel Seed Grant and accept said funds and to execute all contracts and agreements necessary to effectuate the purposes there of. Motion carried unanimously. 6. DEPARTMENT REPORTS – Police, Fire, Health-Housing & Welfare, Public Works, Permit Center, UNIT, Elderly, Library Ms. Prunty responded to Councilman Taborsak regarding Super 8 funding. She noted the Executive Orders were extended until February 2022 and the City has a plan if zoning does not permit hotel to continue housing the homeless Mr. Ridenhour responded to Councilman Rotello regarding crime reports. The crime reports will be sent out to Council once the City receives the reports from the State. Furthermore, he responded to Councilman Santos regarding the academy recruitment process and shooting investigation. Mr. Iadarola responded to Councilman Palma regarding (inaudible). The storm caused a lot of damage in the City of Danbury. He noted they are investigating several incidents. Furthermore, he responded to Councilman Molinaro regarding painting the roads with lines. The City will be hiring a contractor to paint the City streets. Councilman Chianese expressed his support for the Police Department. He requested the Police Department install speed limit signs and "Children at Play" signs along Old Ridgebury Road. Councilman Alves thanked Lieutenant McNally for 37-years of service with the City of Danbury. Councilman Levy recognized Mr. Iadarola and Mr. Hughes for successfully minimizing the flooding on West Street Bridge. Mr. Iadarola discussed the improvements they made to West Street Bridge. The City removed 550 yards of material from the dam. 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. 7. Danbury parking Ordinances Councilman Chianese asked if the City will be laying-off employees with the change to electronic meters. Ms. Pacific reiterated no employee layoffs will take place. Employees will now be able to perform security and patrol the City streets. She responded to Councilman Taborsak regarding jobs affected by technology improvements. Furthermore, she responded to Councilman Santos regarding past revenue data and parking fee increases. She noted the monthly parking permit fee will remain at $55.00 per month and the garage parking fee will change to $1.00 for 40 minutes and Street parking will still be $ 1.00 a hour Councilman Digilio commented Councilman Henry attended the Public Hearing meeting. Councilman Taborsak abstained from the vote. A motion was made by Councilman DiGilio, and was seconded by Councilman Rotello, to add item 7. Motion carried unanimously. A motion was made by Councilman DiGilio, to waive the reading of the report as all members have copies and copies are on file with the Legislative Assistant. Motion carried unanimously. A motion was made by Councilman Levy, and was seconded by Councilman J. Esposito, to receive the report and adopt the recommendations contained within. Motion carried unanimously. ADJOURNMENT Copies of Agenda Items are available in the Legislative Assistant’s Office  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 8:20 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Christina Martinez Recording Secretary Attest, Joseph M. Cavo, Mayor