City Council

CITY COUNCIL MEETING November 4, 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 Mr. Pinter. Councilman Palma 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, Santos, Perkins, Chianese and Cammisa. COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Molinaro 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 Jim Maloney commented on item 10. Mr. Setaro, 27 Deer Hill Avenue, commented on the Public Works Department reports and safety items. MINUTES - Minutes of the Council Meeting held October 5, 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 1. COMMUNICATION –Appointment to the Housatonic Resource Recovery Authority Receive the communication and approve the appointment of Patrick G. Johnston to serve as a full member of the Housatonic Resource Recovery Authority (HRRA) Board with a term to expire on June 30th, 2023. 5. COMMUNICATION – Request for Sewer and Water Main Extension – Great Plain Road Receive the communication and approve the requested time extension of the approval previously granted by the City Council for the installation of sanitary sewer and water connections to serve the property located at Great Plain Road and Great Meadow Road for a period of eighteen months subject to the recommendations and conditions of the existing sanitary sewer and water extension approval. 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 to the Housatonic Resource Recovery Authority *CONSENTED - as received. 2. COMMUNICATION – Proposed Disposition of Property–3 Post Office Street A motion was made by Councilman Knapp, to refer this to an Ad Hoc consisting of Corporation Counsel, the Director of Planning, the Director of Public Works, a report from the Planning Commission, a representative from the Mayor's Office, the Director of Business Advocacy, and a representative from the Savings Bank. The Mayor appointed Councilman Knapp in the chair, along with Councilmen Henry and Visconti. Motion carried unanimously. 3. COMMUNICATION – Bargaining Agreement – Fire Department and City Mr. Hilaire responded to Councilman Taborsak regarding the status of the Grand List The Grand List is doing great for October 1, 2021 compared to October 1, 2020. He noted the audit is not finished. Furthermore, he responded to Councilman Chianese regarding budget increases for 2021. Currently, the budget does not include the new base increase of 1.5%, which amounts to $176,000. Ms. Werner responded to Councilman Salvatore regarding competitive Fire Department salaries. She noted the City has a current Firefighter List available. Councilmen M. Esposito recused himself. A motion was made by Councilman Henry, seconded by Councilwoman Stanley, to receive the communication and approve the wage increase and tentative agreement between the Fire Union, local 801, International Association of Firefighters and the City of Danbury, effective July 1, 2020, as outlined in Mayor Cavo's letter. A tentative agreement together with the certification of funding from the Director of Finance. Motion carried unanimously. 4. COMMUNICATION – Donation to the Fire Department-Bedoukian Research A motion was made by Councilman M. Esposito, seconded by Councilman Santos, to receive the correspondence and accept the generous donation in the amount of $50,000 from the Bedoukian Research company and send them an appropriate letter of thanks. Motion carried unanimously. 5. COMMUNICATION – Request for Sewer and Water Main Extension – Great Plain Road *CONSENTED - as received. 6. COMMUNICATION – New Fire Apparatus Mr. Lounsbury responded to Councilman Perkins regarding the sever service use of the vehicle. He noted the rescue truck is a large utility vehicle with no pump and only 50% wear/tear use compared to the other vehicle. A motion was made by Councilman Digilio, seconded by Councilman Salvatore, to receive the communication and adopt the resolution authorizing the Mayor and the Director of Finance to determine the form terms and provisions of the purchase agreement, with respect to the purchase provided that the purchase price from equipment should not exceed $900,000 inclusive of the financing costs. The Mayor and Director of Finance is also authorized to sign and deliver on behalf of the City, the purchase agreement and any property schedule and any/all related documents, agreements or exhibits related to the purchase as included in the resolution. Motion carried unanimously. 7. RESOLUTION – CT DEEP Recreational Trails Grant Program Ms. Calitro responded to Councilman Chianese regarding the feasibility/planning study for the next grant phase. The grant will be used to study the connection into Danbury and the study will be completed by 2023. Furthermore, she responded to Councilmen Perkins and Visconti regarding trail connections. Councilmen Taborsak and Fox expressed their support for the new trail. A motion was made by Councilman Fox, seconded by Councilman Rotello, to receive the communication and adopt the resolution authorizing Joseph M. Cavo, Mayor of the City of Danbury, or Sharon B. Calitro, AICP Planning Director, as his designee to apply for and accept funds from the Connecticut DEEP Recreational Trails Grants Program, in an amount not to exceed $50,000 inclusive of required 20% match. Such funds to be used to hire a consultant to prepare a feasibility/planning study for a multiuse recreational trail that will connect the Putnam County Maybrook Trail Way to the Existing Ives Trail in Tarrywile Park. Motion carried unanimously. 8. RESOLUTION – Distracted Driving Grant – Police Department A motion was made by Councilwoman Cammisa, seconded by Councilman J. Esposito, to adopt the resolution authorizing Mayor Joseph M. Cavo or Chief Ridenhour as his designee to accept these grant funds not to exceed $60,000, with the State covering 100% of the program costs. Motion carried unanimously. 9. RESOLUTION – State Homeland Security Grant Program Mr. Cassavechia responded to Councilman Chianese regarding grant program details. The grant will support the emergency support functions for the City. A motion was made by Councilman Buzaid, seconded by Councilman M. Esposito, to authorizing Mayor Joseph M. Cavo or his designee Matthew Cassavechia, Director of Civil Preparedness, to execute and deliver without limitations any and all documents to enter into a region five memorandum of agreement, to engage in the regional cost sharing and allegation of funds for the purposes of this program as may be recommended by the regional body without any local matching funds. Motion carried unanimously. 10. AD HOC REPORT – Head Start/80 Main Street Mr. Maloney responded to Councilman Taborsak regarding the classroom capacity and WIC Program location. The proposal consists of five classrooms with a capacity of eight children per classroom and the WIC program will be located at 120 Main Street. Furthermore, he responded to Councilwoman Stanley regarding fees to utilize the building. He noted they agreed to pay 100% of costs associated with the use of the building. He responded to Councilman Chianese regarding exterior changes. The design of the building will not impact the interior of the facility to preserve the historic building features. He responded to Councilman Alves regarding the number of Danbury children attending the program. He noted only 98% of the children enrolled reside in Danbury. Councilman Levy commented the City of Danbury greatly invests $214,000 in Head Start programs. To note, Danbury taxpayers should not be subsidizing regional projects. Furthermore, the facility will be dedicated to Danbury children only. Mr. Cavo noted an error on the Ad Hoc report. Councilman Santos was the Committee Member not Councilman Alves. A motion was made by Councilman Digilio, seconded by Councilman Rotello 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. A motion was made by Councilman Levy, seconded by Councilman Rotello, to receive the report and approve the lease and all of the amendments, including for Danbury children only. Motion carried unanimously. 11. AD HOC REPORT – Sewer and Water Extension - 100 Saw Mill Road Mr. Iadarola responded to Councilman Taborsak regarding usage impacts and operation schedule. The watermain will not impact the surrounding distribution system. Ms. Calitro noted an environmental analysis was performed prior to approval. Mr. Cavo discussed the high-tech generation plants energy demand as a backup plan. Councilman Perkins requested additional information not related to water usage. Councilman Digilio discussed the purpose of the request, which is to approve a sewer and watermain extension. Mr. Pinter noted Councilman Perkins request is appropriate. Ms. Calitro discussed the approval process. The request went through the site plan review process prior to issuing the approval in October 2020. Councilman Perkins requested the item be recommitted for discussion. Councilman Rotello commented the resubmittal is appropriate. He discussed how the industrial site was previously approved but not built. He noted the public expressed concern regarding the plant development. Councilmen Digilio and Levy stated they are not in favor of recommitting the item. The Council had ample time to reach out to departments for further clarification, which is unfair for the applicant. A motion was made by Councilman Digilio, and was seconded by Councilman Visconti, 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. A motion was made by Councilman Perkins, and was seconded by Councilman Rotello, to recommit this back to Ad Hoc. The motion failed 12 (no votes) to 8 (yes votes). A motion was made by Councilman Levy, seconded by Councilman Palma, to move the question.. Motion carried, 11 (yes votes) to 9 (no votes). A motion was made by Councilwoman Stanley, seconded by Councilman Digilio, to receive the report and approve the recommendation of the Committee to approve the application for a sanitary sewer main extension and watermain extension to serve 100 Saw Mill Road, the assessors lot number 817005. Subject to the City standard eight steps/conditions for public sewer and watermain extensions in construction. Also subject to the development of the site plan for the requirements of the zoning regulations. Motion carried unanimously, 14 (yes votes) to 6 (no votes). 12. DEPARTMENT REPORTS – Police, Fire, Health-Housing & Welfare, Public Works, Permit Center, UNIT, Elderly, Library Mr. Cavo responded to Councilman Rotello regarding flooding issues during Tuesday night’s storm. Mr. Iadarola discussed how the river is flooding the roadways, which is being monitored by the City. He noted flooding travels downstream and extensive hydraulic modeling is needed to remedy the issue. To note, the old stone clover collapsed, which is causing flooding issues and the City will need an easement to fix the collapsed pipe. The City drainage systems are designed to handle storms for 50 to 20-years. Furthermore, FEMA is interested in conducting a river study and reviewing the flood control project. Mr. Iadarola responded to Councilman Perkins regarding the Emergency Management Multi-State Agreement and Rogers Park basketball court. The agreement provides great framework and escalation of urgent matters. Furthermore, Rogers Park was chosen to construct a full regulation basketball court in the community for children to utilize and the park has ample space available to accommodate a full-size court. Ms. Prunty responded to Councilman Salvatore regarding the vaccination plan for children. The City has a partnership with Pacific to perform vaccines for children ages 5 to 11 years old. Furthermore, she responded to Councilman Rotello regarding COVID-19 boosters, which are in high demand. Chief of Police responded to Mr. Chianese regarding 911 staffing shortages. The City has a partnership with ISP and they are not experiencing any staffing shortages at this time. Councilman J. Esposito thanked the City for their hard work this year. A motion was made by Councilman DiGilio, and was seconded by Councilman Perkins, to waive the reading of the department reports as all members have copies and copies are on file with the Legislative Assistant, as well as to accept them as presented. Motion carried unanimously. ADJOURNMENT Copies of Agenda Items are available in the Legislative Assistant’s Office Mr. Cavo discussed upcoming events and presented several plaque awards to the leaving Council members. Several of the Council Members thanked the City and Mr. Cavo for the honorable awards. Mr. Cavo thanked the City and Council Members for their hard work and the opportunity to serve the residents of Danbury. 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 9:52 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Christina Martinez Recording Secretary Attest, Joseph M. Cavo, Mayor