City Council

CITY COUNCIL MEETING December 7, 2021 Honorable Mayor, Dean Esposito, called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE & PRAYER The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mr. Hatch. Councilman DiGilio led all in prayer. ROLL CALL: COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Buzaid, Cavo, Eriquez, Esposito, Knapp, DiGilio, Rotello, Visconti, Halas, Levy, Stanley, Fox, Masi, Palma, Henry, Britton, Santos, Perkins, Chianese, Cammisa and Molinaro. COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: 0 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. PUBLIC INPUT Mark Boughton 1 Kennedy Avenue, commented on Public Safety appointments and item 18. Charley Setaro Deer Hill Ave. commented on the Erosion Control Board and flooding issues. Benjamin Doto, 17 Ridge Road, commented on Health Depart report. MINUTES - Minutes of the Council Meeting held November 4, 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 8. COMMUNICATION – Appointment to Police Pension Board Receive the communication and approve the appointment of Councilman Warren Levy to serve on the Boards of the 1967 and the 1983 Police Pension Funds. 9. COMMUNICATION – Appointments to GERC Receive the Communication and approve the appointments to the Government Entities Review Committee of Councilmen Warren Levy, Paul Rotello, and Vinny DiGilio. Additionally, confirm the reappointment of Danbury citizens Alan T. Boyce and Mark S. Chory to the panel. A motion was made by Councilman Knapp, and was seconded by Councilman Cavo, to accept the Consent Calendar as presented. The motion carried unanimously. 1. COMMUNICATION – Promotion – Captain - Police Department A motion was made by Councilwoman Stanley, seconded by Councilman Rotello, to receive the communication and confirm the appointment and promotion of Police Detective Lieutenant Christian A. Carroccio to the position of Police Captain in the Danbury Police Department. Motion carried unanimously. 2. COMMUNICATION – Promotion – Lieutenant - Police Department - Guertin A motion was made by Councilman DiGilio, seconded by Councilman Molinaro, to receive the communication and confirm the appointment and promotion of Police Detective Sergeant Gray Guertin to the position of Police Lieutenant in the Danbury Police Department. Motion carried unanimously. 3. COMMUNICATION – Promotion – Lieutenant - Police Department -Pardovich A motion was made by Councilman Buzaid, seconded by Councilman Esposito, to confirm the appointment and promotion of Police Sergeant David Pardovich to the position of Police Lieutenant in the Danbury Police Department. Motion carried unanimously. 4. COMMUNICATION – Promotion – Sergeant -Police Department - Jacobellis A motion was made by Councilman Cavo, seconded by Councilman Santos to receive the communication and move to confirm the appointment of Police Officer Veto Jacobellis to the position of Sergeant within the Danbury Police Department. Motion carried unanimously. 5. COMMUNICATION – Promotion – Sergeant -Police Department - Hilderbrand A motion was made by Councilman Henry, seconded by Councilman Palma, to receive the communication and confirm the appointment and promotion of Police Officer Steven Hilderbrand to the position of Police Sergeant in the Danbury Police Department. Motion carried unanimously. 6. COMMUNICATION – Appointments to Police Department A motion was made by Councilman Knapp, seconded by Councilman Stanley, to receive the communication and move to confirm the appointment of Matthew O'Connor to the position of Police Officer in the Danbury Police Department. Motion carried unanimously. A motion was made by Councilman Halas, seconded by Councilman Cavo, to receive and accept the appointment of Police Officer John Martinez to the Danbury Police Department. Motion carried unanimously. 7. COMMUNICATION – Wage Increase – DMEA Councilman Buzaid recused himself from the vote. A motion was made by Councilman M. Levy, seconded by Councilman Rotello, to receive the communication and approve the wage increase and tentative agreement between the Danbury Municipal Employees Association. (00:35:45-00:35:47 inaudible) Local for 24-unit 14 City employees DMEA and the City of Danbury effective July 1, 2020, as outlined in Mayor Cavo's memo and agreements and certification of the funding from the Director of Finance. Motion carried unanimously. 8. COMMUNICATION – Appointment to Police Pension Board *CONSENTED - as received. 9. COMMUNICATION – Appointments to GERC *CONSENTED - as received. 10. COMMUNICATION – Donation to the Fire Department Mr. Thode responded to Councilman Chianese regarding plans to utilize funds. The funds will be used to target Firefighter safety and community support. Councilman Rotello thanked Ms. Ruth Pierce for the extraordinary donation received by the Fire Department. A motion was made by Councilman Esposito, seconded by Councilman Visconti, to receive the correspondence and accept the generous donation from Ms. Ruth Pierce, who is the sister of Firefighter James Pierce, who I had the pleasure of working with while I was in the Danbury Fire Department. This request is in the amount of $142,324.41. Please send a letter of appreciation and thanks to be kept on file with the Attorney Gale H. Matthews LLC. Motion carried unanimously. 11. RESOLUTION – Public Health Emergency Preparedness Grant A motion was made by Councilwoman Stanley, seconded by Councilwoman Cammisa, to adopt the resolution as presented. Motion carried unanimously. 12. RESOLUTION – FY 21 EMPG Funding A motion was made by Councilman Masi, seconded by Councilman Fox, to receive the communication and make a motion to adopt the resolution authorizing Mayor Dean Esposito or his designee Matthew Cassavechia, Emergency Management Director to apply for and accept the funding for Fiscal year 2021-2022, Emergency Management Performance Grant as specified in the request dated November 8, 2021, by Mr. Cassovicha. Motion carried unanimously. 13. RESOLUTION – ELC II Grant Funding – Health Department A motion was made by Councilman Eriquez, seconded by Councilman Cavo, to receive the communication and adopt the resolution that allows the City of Danbury Department of Health & Human Services to accept funding through the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health. Motion carried unanimously. 14. RESOLUTION – Community Health Nurse Nuvance Health Contract Mr. Hilaire responded to Councilman Chianese regarding renewal costs. He noted there is no additional cost. A motion was made by Councilwoman Cammisa, seconded by Councilman Palma, to renew the contract between the City of Danbury, Department of Health & Human services with Nuvance Health of Danbury Hospital as presented. Motion carried unanimously. 15. RESOLUTION – Memorandum of Understanding with the FCI- Police Dept. Mr. Pinter responded to Councilman Rotello regarding substantive changes in the FCI agreements. He noted the performance services are the same as the previous agreement and there are no dramatic cost adjustments. A motion was made by Councilman Fox, seconded by Councilman Perkins, to receive the communication and adopt the resolution authorizing Mayor Dean Esposito or his designee Danbury Police Chief Patrick Ridenhour, to execute a memorandum of understanding between the FCI and the City of Danbury Police Department, for purposes of mutual assistance during natural disasters and law enforcement emergencies requiring prompt short-term action and such related purposes as maybe necessary for the furtherance thereof. Motion carried unanimously. 16. RESOLUTION – Memorandum of Understanding with the FCI – Fire Dept. A motion was made by Councilman Esposito, seconded by Councilman Visconti, to receive the correspondence and adopt the resolution re memorandum of understanding the Danbury Federal Correctional Institution to provide for mutual assistance during all hazard disasters and/or emergencies when either parties resources may be inadequate to maintain the safety and security of the public and/or their personnel. Motion carried unanimously. 17. RESOLUTION – Memorandum of Understanding with the FCI - Emergency Management A motion was made by Councilman Knapp, seconded by Councilman Esposito, to receive the communication and make a motion to adopt the resolution authorizing Mayor Dean Esposito or his designee Matthew Cassavechia, Emergency Management Director, to execute the memorandum of understanding between the FCI and the City of Danbury Office of Emergency Management for the related purposes specified in the request dated November 22, 2021. Motion carried unanimously. 18. AD HOC REPORT – Disposal of City Property – 3 Post Office Street Councilman Chianese and Councilman Perkins rejected the item going to a public hearing. Mr. Pinter responded to Councilman DiGilio regarding objecting a public hearing. He noted the overall referral to a public hearing is a requirement for the item. 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 with the Legislative Assistant. Motion carried unanimously. A motion was made by Councilman Cavo, to refer the item to a public hearing. Motion carried unanimously. 19. DEPARTMENT REPORTS – Police, Fire, Health-Housing & Welfare, Public Works, Permit Center, UNIT, Elderly, Library Mr. Iadarola responded to Councilman Perkins regarding paving maintenance. He noted the Paving Program completed this year. The City paved 21.4 miles of roads and implemented a Road Paving Restoration program, which performed 7.42 miles of cake sealings. Furthermore, the City performed 1 mile of in-house paving and spent under $7 million to maintenance the roads. The goal is to extend the longevity of City roads. Mr. Hilaire responded to Councilman Perkins regarding investing in Bitcoin. He noted many communities and public officials are reviewing Bitcoin currency. Ms. Punty responded to Councilman Santos regarding vaccine updates. She noted 66% of Danbury residents are fully vaccinated and 75% will be receiving the second dose. The City is not tracking the booster vaccine percentages at this time. Furthermore, they encourage the public to get the COVID vaccine and booster vaccine. She responded to Councilman Chianese regarding the homeless shelters. She noted the Executive Order will remain in place until February. Councilman Levy commented the City of Danbury recruits highly qualified candidates to work for the Danbury Police Department. Councilman Cavo commented the field and track at the high school is very impressive. He congratulated the City for receiving the award for Outstand Collegiate Field & Track. Mr. Iadarola noted they won the contest out of the entire country. The design was very complex with retro fitting and improved drainage. To note, the City helped secure the funds for the capital project. Mr. Ridenhour responded to Councilman Palma regarding safety awareness for families and schools. He noted the increasing crime rates is due to social media. The Police Department is working hard to keep the community safe. Mayor Esposito responded to Councilman Molinaro regarding a press release for the track & field award. He noted they will be releasing a press release soon. 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. 20. Communication Appointment of Mayor’s Chief of Staff Councilman Rotello congratulated Mr. Palanzo on his new position. Mayor Esposito stated Mr. Palanzo is an outstanding person. Mr. Palanzo possesses a strong business background and many years of City experience. Furthermore, he is a great asset to the City of Danbury. A motion was made by Councilman DiGilio, and was seconded by Councilman Halas, to add on item number 20, titled "Communication Appointment of Mayor's Chief of Staff". Motion carried unanimously. A motion was made by Councilman DiGilio, and was seconded by Councilwoman Cammisa, to receive the communication and make a motion to confirm the appointment of Mr. Roger Palanzo to the position of Mayor's Office Chief of Staff. Motion carried unanimously. ADJOURNMENT Copies of Agenda Items are available in the Legislative Assistant’s Office A motion was made by Councilman Cavo, and was seconded by Councilman Rotello, to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:52 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Christina Martinez Recording Secretary Attest, Dean Esposito, Mayor