City Council

CITY COUNCIL MEETING June 7, 2022 - 7:30 P.M. 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 Sean Hatch. Councilman DiGilio led all in prayer. ROLL CALL: COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Buzaid, Cavo, Eriquez, Knapp, Levy, DiGilio, Rotello, Halas, Esposito III, Fox, Masi, Palma, Henry, Britton, Santos, Perkins, Chianese, Cammisa and Molinaro. COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Visconti and Esposito. PRESENT: 19, ABSENT: 2 ALSO PRESENT: Robert J. Yamin, Corporation Counsel; Les Pinter, Deputy Corporation Counsel; David St. Hilaire, Finance Director; and Elisa Etcheto, Legislative Assistant. PUBLIC INPUT Brigid Guertin, Resident, 114 E. Pembroke Road, spoke on item #9. Ken Gucker, Resident, 89 Padanaram Road, spoke on Item #9. MINUTES - Minutes of the Council Meeting held May 3, 2022 A motion was made by Councilman DiGilio, and was seconded by Councilman Perkins, to waive the reading of the Minutes as all members of the Council have copies and copies are on file in the Legislative Assistant's Office. The motion carried unanimously. CONSENT CALENDAR 3. COMMUNICATION - Appointment of Independent Auditors for fiscal year ending June 30, 2022 Receive the communication from David St. Hilaire, Director of Finance and approve the appointment of RSM, US, LLC as the City’s Independent Auditors and accounting firm for the fiscal year ending June 30,2022. 4. COMMUNICATION - Annual Suspense List - Office of the Tax Collector Receive the communication from Scott Ferguson, Tax Collector, and approve the listing of names and amounts of taxes deemed uncollectable at this time totaling $326,039.65 to the Annual Suspense List. 15. RESOLUTION - CT Health Foundation Community Health Worker Grant Extension Receive the communication and adopt the resolution authorizing Mayor Dean Esposito or Kara Prunty, Director of Health and Human Services as his designee to apply for and accept funding through an extension for the grant available through the Connecticut Health Foundation for Community Health Workers in the amount of $100,000.00. This extension opportunity will be through December 31, 2022 with no local match required. 16. RESOLUTION - CTDPH Tuberculosis Control Program Grant Receive the communication and adopt the resolution authorizing Mayor Dean Esposito or Kara Prunty, Director of Health and Human Services as his designee to apply for and accept funding through the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health Tuberculosis Prevention and Control Program in an amount not to exceed $25,000.00. This extension opportunity will be through June 30, 2023 with no local match required. 17. RESOLUTION - CTDPH Public Health Emergency Preparedness Grant Receive the communication and adopt the resolution authorizing Mayor Dean Esposito or Kara Prunty, Director of Health and Human Services as his designee to apply for and accept funding through the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health Emergency and Hospital Preparedness funding program totaling $47,960.00 to continue programs related to emergency preparedness from July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023. 18. REPORTS - Application for Extension of Water Main - Michaud Road Receive the reports from the Planning Commission and City Engineer and approve the extension of the Water Main – 22 Michaud Road Lot J10145 subject to the City’s standard eight steps and conditions. A motion was made by Councilman Knapp, and was seconded by Councilman Perkins, to accept the Consent Calendar as presented. The motion carried unanimously. 1. COMMUNICATION - Donation for Downtown Marian Anderson Mural A motion was made by Councilman Henry, seconded by Councilman Cavo, to receive the communication and approve the donation from Savings Bank of Danbury in the amount of $5,000, for the Marian Anderson Mural, at 300 Main Street. Motion carried unanimously. 2. COMMUNICATION - Sidewalk Easement for 3-7 Great Plain Road A motion was made by Councilman Knapp, to refer this to the Director of Planning and the City Engineer for reports. Motion carried unanimously. 3. COMMUNICATION - Appointment of Independent Auditors for fiscal year ending June 30, 2022 *CONSENTED - as received. 4. COMMUNICATION - Annual Suspense List - Office of the Tax Collector *CONSENTED - as received. 5. COMMUNICATION - Donation of Scoreboard and Batter’s Box Pad - Parks & Recreation  A motion was made by Councilman Cavo, seconded by Councilman Buzaid, to receive the communication and accept the generous donation from the Danbury Adult Softball League for the new scoreboard and batter's box reinforcement pad located at Roger's Park Field #3. Motion carried unanimously. 6. COMMUNICATION - Settlement of litigation matter - Corporation Counsel A motion was made by Councilman DiGilio, to move the item to the end of the agenda. Motion carried unanimously. 7. ORDINANCE & - Government Entities Review Sec. 2-259 REPORTS A motion was made by Councilman DiGilio, and was seconded by Councilman Rotello, to waive the reading of the Minutes of the reports 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 DiGilio, and was seconded by Councilman Levy, to accept the reports and adopt the ordinance related to Government Entities Section 2-259, as presented. The motion carried unanimously. 8. RESOLUTION - Recognition of Juneteenth A motion was made by Councilman Esposito III, and was seconded by Councilman Palma, to accept the communication, adopt the resolution, whereas on June 17, 2021; Juneteenth became a Federal holiday. In the United States, the day commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in 1865. The City of Danbury recognizes Juneteenth as a Federal, State holiday and the City recognizes the importance of this date. It reminds citizens of the incredible capacity to heal, hope and emerge from our darkest moments with purpose and resolve; and the City asks that our community join the State and our country in recognizing Juneteenth, as we recommit ourselves to the work of equity, equality and justice. The City recognizes Juneteenth as a day of profound weight and power; and encourages its citizens to find purpose and resolve going forward, as presented. The motion carried unanimously. Councilman Perkins noted the Federal Government has not passed a Federal holiday in 38-years and thanked the city for putting forth this resolution. 9. RESOLUTION - State Surplus Property at 71 Main Street A motion was made by Councilman Buzaid, to refer this to an Ad Hoc Committee consisting of Corporation Counsel, Director of Public Works, Superintendent of Public Buildings and a representative from the Mayor's Office. The motion carried unanimously. The Mayor appointed Councilman Henry in the chair, along with Councilmen Esposito III and Perkins; and requested a report from the Planning Commission. 10. RESOLUTION - Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) A motion was made by Councilwoman Cammisa, and was seconded by Councilman Rotello, to accept the communication and adopt the resolution authorizing Dean Esposito, Mayor of the City of Danbury, to apply for and accept said funding; and the Mayor is authorized to sign any contracts, documents, to effectuate the purposes of said funding of the program known as the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP). The motion carried unanimously. Mr. Ferguson explained how the State initiated the LIHWAP program to Councilman Chianese. The State will contact individuals who have been disconnected, or are behind on their utility bills, to apply for funding. He provided an overview of the qualification process. 11. RESOLUTION - Neighborhood Assistance Act (NAA) Program A motion was made by Councilman Masi, and was seconded by Councilman DiGilio, to receive the communication and adopt the resolution for the Neighborhood Assistance Act (NAA) Program for 2022; available through the State Department of Revenue Services, and authorize Mayor Dean Esposito to take such action necessary to accomplish this. The motion carried unanimously. 12. RESOLUTION - American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021 A motion was made by Councilman DiGilio, and was seconded by Councilman Halas, to receive the communication and adopt the resolution related to the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021, as presented. The motion carried unanimously. 13. RESOLUTION - Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board (NRWIB) Youth Employment Program A motion was made by Councilman Levy, and was seconded by Councilman Fox, to authorize Dean Esposito, Mayor of the City of Danbury, to apply for and accept funding from the Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board (NRWIB) in the amount of $137,520, and sign any contracts or documents to effectuate the Youth Employment Program, as a pass through program administered by Danbury Youth Services. The motion carried unanimously. 14. RESOLUTION - Local Bridge Application – Shelter Rock Road Bridge over Sympaug River A motion was made by Councilman Esposito III, and was seconded by Councilman Henry, to receive the communication and adopt the resolution as presented, authorizing Mayor Dean Esposito to sign the preliminary application. The Commitment to fund the Shelter Rock Road Bridge, #34403; and schedule public information meetings should the project go forward, and ratify any actions taken thereof. The motion carried unanimously. Mr. Iadarola explained the project timeline and planned improvements to Councilman Santos. 15. RESOLUTION - CT Health Foundation Community Health Worker Grant Extension *CONSENTED - as received. 16. RESOLUTION - CTDPH Tuberculosis Control Program Grant *CONSENTED - as received. 17. RESOLUTION - CTDPH Public Health Emergency Preparedness Grant *CONSENTED - as received. 18. REPORTS - Application for Extension of Water Main - Michaud Road *CONSENTED - as received. DEPARTMENT REPORTS - Police, Fire, Health & Human Services, Public Works, Permit Center, U.N.I.T., Elderly Services, Public Library A motion was made by Councilman DiGilio, and was seconded by Councilman Perkins, to waive the reading of the reports as all Members have copies and copies are on file with the Legislative Assistant's Office, as well as accept them as presented. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Iadarola provided an overview of the progress made on Newtown Road to Councilman Santos. The state will finish the project in the next two months, and the goal now is finish esthetic work. Furthermore, the newly installed traffic light by the Public Works driveway, will help mitigate traffic from the complex. Mr. Iadarola responded to Councilman Levy regarding the City receiving market value for the fill from the Newtown Road reconfiguration. Councilman Chianese thanked Tom Hugh and Nick Kaplanis for helping a constituent with the installation of a handicap swing at Kenosia Park. Mayor Esposito commented that over 3,000 votes were cast for the Danbury Career Academy and School Bond Referendum. The results show 2,600+ in favor (passed). He thanked Mr. Iadarola, city staff, the Council and Registrar of voters for their hard work and support. Mr. Iadarola expressed gratitude for the approved project. A motion was made by Councilman DiGilio, seconded by Councilman Rotello, to move into Executive Session for the purposes of taking action on item #6 of this agenda titled "COMMUNICATION - Settlement of litigation matter - Corporation Counsel". Motion carried unanimously. City Council Meeting paused at 8:33pm. 6. COMMUNICATION - Settlement of litigation matter - Corporation Counsel The following were present for the Executive session: Mayor Esposito; City Council Members; Robert J. Yamin, Corporation Counsel; Les Pinter, Deputy Corporation Counsel; David St. Hilaire, Finance Director; Johanna Zelman, Outside Counsel; Virginia Alosco Werner, Human Resources Director; and Richard Thode, Fire Chief. City Council Meeting reconvened at 9:16 pm. A motion was made by Councilman DiGilio, seconded by Councilman Chianese, to approve the settlement as presented in the Executive Session, and furthermore authorize the Mayor to conclude all final elements of the settlement. 17 YES, 2 Abstentions/Recusals (Cavo, Levy). Motion carried. The Mayor Extended all Committees. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Councilman (00:55:49), and was seconded by Councilman DiGilio to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 9:17 p.m. Copies of Agenda Items are available in the Legislative Assistant’s Office. Respectfully submitted, Christina Martinez, Recording Secretary Attest, Elisa Etcheto, Legislative Assistant