City Council

CITY COUNCIL MEETING March 1, 2022 - 7:30PM Honorable Mayor, Dean Esposito, called the meeting to order at 7:34 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: Buzaid, Cavo, Eriquez, Knapp, Levy, DiGilio, Rotello, Visconti, Esposito, Halas, Fox, Masi, Palma, Perkins Henry, Britton, Chianese, Cammisa and Molinaro. COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Santos. PRESENT: 19, ABSENT: 1, VACANCY: 1 ALSO PRESENT: Robert J. Yamin, Corporation Counsel; Les Pinter, Deputy Corporation Counsel, and Elisa Etcheto, Legislative Assistant. PUBLIC INPUT John Webber, Resident, 6 Terry Dr., spoke on item #5. Ken Gucker, State Representative & Resident, 89 Padanaram Rd., spoke on items 4 and 9. Andrea Gartner, Resident, 112 Deer Hill Ave., spoke on items 1, 4 and 6. MINUTES - Minutes of the Council Meeting held February 1, 2022 A motion was made by Councilman Diilio, 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. Motion carried unanimously. CONSENT CALENDAR 3. COMMUNICATION - Appointment – City Constable Receive the Communication and approve the appointment of Francis Kieras to the open position of City Constable with the term to expire in November of 2023. – REMOVED from consent 4. COMMUNICATION - Appointments – Government Entities Receive the Communication and approve the appointments to the following commissions: Library Board of Directors, Commission on Aging, Cultural Commission, Assessment Board of Appeals, Aviation Commission, Environmental Impact Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission and the Parking Authority, as presented. 7. COMMUNICATION - Donation – Olde Crabs Hockey League – City’s Emergency Shelter Receive the Communication and accept the generous donation of $2,500.00 to City of Danbury’s Emergency Shelter from “The Olde Crabs Hockey League” and send the appropriate letter of thanks. 8. RESOLUTION - Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) – Danbury Library Receive the communication from David St. Hilaire, Director of Finance, and Adopt the Resolution authorizing Dean Esposito, Mayor of the City of Danbury or Katie Pearson, Library Director, to apply for and accept funding from the Connecticut State Library through the Institute of Museum and Library Services Program. This funding for the City’s Summer Reading Program is for an amount totaling $2,000.00 with no local match required. A motion was made by Councilman Britton, and was seconded by (Inaudible 00:24:32), I would like to remove item #3 from tonight's consent calendar, please. Motion carried unanimously. A motion was made by Councilman Knapp, and was seconded by Perkins, to accept the Consent Calendar as Amended.. Motion carried unanimously. 1. COMMUNICATION - Appointment to the City Council A motion was made by Councilman Cavo, seconded by Councilwoman Cammisa, to accept the letter from the Republican Town Committee recommending that John J. Esposito III, three term, excellent Councilman for the City of Danbury, be reappointed to the City Council in-place of Ms. Stanley. Motion carried unanimously. Corporation Counsel Robert Yamin administered the Oath of Office to John J. Esposito III as City Councilman. 2. COMMUNICATION - Promotion – Police Department – Sergeant – Cieply A motion was made by Councilman Henry, seconded by Councilman Palma, to receive the communication and confirm the appointment and promotion of Police Officer Eric Cieply to the position of Police Sergeant in the Danbury Police Department. Motion carried unanimously. 3. COMMUNICATION - Appointment – City Constable A motion was made by Councilman Levy, seconded by Councilman Visconti, to appoint Francis Kieras toConstable for the City of Danbury. Francis has been a resident of Danbury for a number of years; he has served the City well, and I take a lot of pleasure in making this motion to appoint him in that position. Motion failed. Councilman Britton expressed concern regarding the appointment of Francis Kieras to City Constable and requested the item be referred to an Ad Hoc. A motion was made by Councilman Britton,to refer this nomination to an Ad Hoc, to further examine the findings of facts that were brought forward tonight. The Mayor appointed the following Councilmen: DiGilio, Levy and Visconti. Motion carried unanimously. 4. COMMUNICATION - Appointments – Government Entities *CONSENTED - as received. 5. COMMUNICATION - Naming of Building and Street in honor of Joseph W. Pepin A motion was made by Councilman Esposito, to refer this to an Ad Hoc Committee with the following people: Corporation Counsel, Superintendent of Buildings, a representative from ACE school, and a representative from the Mayor's Office. The Mayor appointed Councilman Cavo in the chair, along with Councilmen Knapp and Santos. Motion carried unanimously. 6. COMMUNICATION - Ad Hoc Request – Reliant Air Services Lease Agreement - Airport A motion was made by Councilman Fox, seconded by Councilman Perkins, to receive the communication and refer the item to an Ad Hoc Committee consisting of Corporation Counsel, the Airport Administrator, and the Director of Finance. The Mayor appointed Councilman Knapp in the chair, along with Councilmen Esposito and Rotello. Motion carried unanimously. 7. COMMUNICATION - Donation – Olde Crabs Hockey League – City’s Emergency Shelter *CONSENTED - as received. 8. RESOLUTION - Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) – Danbury Library *CONSENTED - as received. 9. REPORT - Public Hearing - Sale of City Property: 33 E. Franklin St. & 72-80 Maple Avenue A motion was made by Councilman DiGilio, and was seconded by Councilwoman Cammisa, to waive the reading of the report as all Members have copies and copies are on file with the Legislative Assistant's Office. Motion carried unanimously. A motion was made by Councilman Knapp, and was seconded by Councilwoman Cavo, subject to a positive report from the Planning Commission in accordance with the Danbury Code of Ordinances, section 2-211B; as pertains to disposition of real property by publication and bids. I move to declare the subject site at 72-80 Maple Avenue, 33 E. Franklin Street, as surplus; and after a public hearing under CGS7-163E, having been held on February 16, 2022, recommend the preparation and issuance of Request For Proposal of the sale of the subject site; it is further recommended that upon the selection of the successful bidder or candidate by the City Board of Awards, pursuant to Code, section 2211B4, a final agreement of sale shall be returned to the City Council for final authorization of sale pursuant to Charter, section 3-17. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Pinter explained to Councilman Chianese how the City will maintain the property and RFP process. Mr. Iadarola stated his reasoning for not providing comments regarding the environmental standing of the property. The site is located in a flood zone and has significant structural issues. Councilman DiGilio explained to Council the Ad Hoc and Public Hearing process for the sale of the City property.. Councilman Levy shared his experience working with contaminated properties. Councilman Chianese stated hebelieves new information has been presented to the council that was not discussed at the Ad Hoc.. Councilman Cavo stated that the sale of the property needs to move forward and supports issuing an RFP to get rid of the contaminated property. DEPARTMENT REPORTS - Police, Fire, Health & Human Services, Public Works, U.N.I.T., Elderly Services, Public Library, Permit Center 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's Office and receive them as presented. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Ridenhour answered Councilman Rotello regarding his request for crime statistics,and he explained the State's slow publication of the data. He also addressed car accidents in the city. Mr. Nolan discussed the success of their pothole killer to fix potholes around the City. Mr. Iadarola explained who handlesblinking lights at intersections, and the paving plan. AD HOCS - Education Budget Committee appointments The Mayor appointed Councilman Levy in the chair, along with Councilmen Fox, Molinaro, Visconti and Councilwoman Cammisa. Sunset The Mayor Sunset the following Ad Hocs: Danbury Museum: Sale and Acquisition of Land – July 2019 Item #5, Conveyance of Land: 6 Brushy Hill Road – May 2018 Item #4, Updating Code of Ordinances – March 2019 Item #8, Mountainville Avenue and Property Request – November 2020 Item #3, Appointment to Commission for Persons with Disabilities – Jan. 2018 Item #5, and Disposition of City Land: Liberty Street Parking Lot – April 2019 Item #10. Reappointments Establishment of Charter Revision Commission – Aug. 2019 Item #15The Mayor appointed Councilman DiGilio in the chair, along with Councilmen Levy and Chianese. Interlocal Sewer Agreement Team re:Putnam County – Sept. 2018 The Mayor appointed Councilman Levy in the chair, along with Councilmen Masi, Fox, Perkins and Visconti. Body Care Facility Ordinance – April 2019 Item #9 The Mayor appointed Councilman Henry in the chair, along with Councilmen M. Esposito and Chianese. Massage & Therapy Ordinance – March 2019 Item #11 The Mayor appointed Councilman Henry in the chair, along with Councilmen M. Esposito and Chianese. Tattoo & Body Piercing Ordinance – April 2018 Item #8 The Mayor appointed Councilman Henry in the chair, along with Councilmen M. Esposito and Chianese. Petition of Acceptance of Private Road - Flintlock Road – March 2021 Item #4 The Mayor appointed Councilman Fox in the chair, along with Councilmen M. Esposito and Visconti. Property Tax Abatement - Volunteers, EMTS – March 2021 Item #2 The Mayor appointed Councilman Knapp in the chair, along with Councilmen Perkins and DiGilio. Lease – Tango Yankee – Airport – January 2021 Item #5 The Mayor appointed Councilman Knapp in the chair, along with Councilman Visconti and Councilwoman Cammisa. The Mayor Extended all other Committees. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Councilman Rotello, and was seconded by Councilman Visconti to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:48 p.m. Copies of Agenda Items are available in the Legislative Assistant’s Office Respectfully submitted, Christina Martinez Recording Secretary Attest, Dean Esposito, Mayor