City Council

CITY COUNCIL MEETING August 2, 2022 - 7:30 P.M. 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, Henry, Britton, Perkins, Palma, Santos, Chianese, Cammisa and Molinaro. * Fox arrived late. COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Esposito, Halas, Esposito III, and Masi. PRESENT: 17, ABSENT: 4 ALSO PRESENT: Robert J. Yamin, Corporation Counsel; Les Pinter, Deputy Corporation Counsel; Dan Garrick, Assistant Finance Director; and Elisa Etcheto, Legislative Assistant. PUBLIC INPUT Sandy Arconti, Resident, 14 Acre Drive, spoke in support of item #20. Al Robinson, Resident, 7 Melrose Avenue, spoke in support of item #23. MINUTES - Minutes of the Council Meeting held July 6, 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 4. COMMUNICATION - Appointment to Western CT Tourism District Board Receive the communication and approve the appointment of Shay Nagarsheth, Director of Economic Development for the City of Danbury, to the Western Connecticut Tourism District board. 7. COMMUNICATION - MOU with The Summit - Office of Emergency Management Receive the communication and approve the Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Danbury Office of Emergency Management and the Summit as presented. The purpose is to establish a beneficial relationship between the two parties in the event of a disaster, crisis, or other designated emergency to provide mass food preparation and distribution capabilities. 16. RESOLUTION - Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program - Police Dept. Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing Dean Esposito, Mayor of the City of Danbury, or Patrick Ridenhour, Chief of Police as his designee to apply for and accept funding from the US Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs under the 2022 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program. This funding, not to exceed $18,994 with no local match required, is for the period 10/1/21 through 9/30/23. 17. RESOLUTION - Citizen Corps Program - Office of Emergency Management Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing Dean Esposito, Mayor of the City of Danbury, or Mathew Cassavechia, Emergency Management Director as his designee to apply for and accept funding from the State of Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection through the Citizen Corps Program. This funding, if awarded, is not to exceed $600 with no local match required. 18. RESOLUTION - Emergency Shelter Grant - Amendment - Health & Human Services Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing Dean Esposito, Mayor of the City of Danbury, or Kara Prunty, Director of Health as his designee to apply for and accept amended funding for the current emergency shelter grant from the State of Connecticut Department of Housing with an adjustment of $5,531. The new funding of this grant is in an amount not to exceed $282,059 with the grant period being from 7/1/19 to 6/30/23. 19. RESOLUTION - Preventative Health and Health Services Block Grant (Type 2 Diabetes Prevention) - Amendment - Health & Human Services Receive the Communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing Dean Esposito, Mayor of the City of Danbury, or Kara Prunty, Director of Health as his designee to apply for and accept additional funding of $24,378 for the Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Program from the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health. This will supplement the previous grant awarded ending on 9/30/22. The grant period will now be from 10/1/22 to 9/30/23 with no local match required. 21. REPORTS - Planning & Engineering - Sidewalk Easement for 3-7 Great Plain Rd. Receive the reports from the City Engineer and Planning Commission and approve the request for a sidewalk easement to the City of Danbury from JBP Properties, LLC at 3-7 Great Plain Road subject to the conditions as specified. 22. REPORTS - Planning & Engineering - Sidewalk Easement for 32 Miry Brook Road Receive the reports from the City Engineer and Planning Commission and approve the request for a sidewalk easement and road widening strip to Black Wolf Properties, LLC at 32 Miry Brook Road subject to the conditions as specified 23. REPORT - Public Hearing - ATVs on City Property: Ordinance 46-3 Receive the report from the Public Hearing held regarding Ordinance Sec. 46-3 - All-terrain vehicles, utility terrain vehicles, dirt bikes and mini motorcycles; operation prohibited on city property, as previously approved by the City Council.  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 - Police Department Promotion - Robert Conrad to Lieutenant A motion was made by Councilman Henry, seconded by Councilman Visconti, to receive the communication and receive the appointment & promotion of Police Sergeant Robert Conrad, to the position of Police Lieutenant in the Danbury Police Department. The motion carried unanimously. 2. COMMUNICATION - Police Department Promotion - David Antedomenico to Sergeant A motion was made by Councilman Levy, seconded by Councilman Rotello, to confirm the appointment & promotion of Police Officer David Antedomenico, to the position of Police Sergeant in the Danbury Police Department. The motion carried unanimously. Councilman Santos congratulated all those promoted. Councilman Levy expressed his congratulations to Officer Antedomenico. 3. COMMUNICATION - Police Department Promotion - Joseph Michael to Detective A motion was made by Councilman DiGilio, seconded by Councilman Buzaid, to receive the communication and confirm the appointment & promotion of Police Officer Joseph Michael, to the position of Police Detective in the Danbury Police Department. The motion carried unanimously. 4. COMMUNICATION - Appointment to Western CT Tourism District Board *CONSENTED - as received. 5. COMMUNICATION - Appointments to Government Entity - Richter Park Authority A motion was made by Councilwoman Cammisa, seconded by Councilman Chianese, to receive the communication and confirm the appointment of Paul DiNardo to serve on the Richter Park Authority as a full Member, with a term expiration date of 8/3/2024; and I would also, like to confirm the appointment of Pamela St. Pierre and Arthur Haddad, as alternates on the Richter Park Authority, with term expiration dates of 8/3/2024. The motion carried unanimously. 6. COMMUNICATION - Licensing Agreement for Use of Library space - New American Dream Center A motion was made by Councilman Knapp, to refer this to an Ad Hoc Committee consisting of Corporation Counsel, Library Director, representative from the Mayor's Office, and a representative from the New American Dream Foundation. The Mayor appointed Councilman Knapp in the chair, along with Councilmen Masi and Perkins. So Ordered. 7. COMMUNICATION - MOU with The Summit - Office of Emergency Management *CONSENTED - as received. 8. COMMUNICATION - Request for Access and Drainage Easement - Appollo Road, Bethel CT - Corporation Counsel  A motion was made by Councilman Buzaid, to refer this to the City Engineer and Planning for reports. So Ordered. 9. COMMUNICATION - Application for Extension of Sewer Main - 1 & 15 Miry Brook Rd A motion was made by Councilwoman Cammisa, to refer this to the City Engineer and Planning Commission for reports. So Ordered. 10. COMMUNICATION - Application for Extension of Water Main - 1 & 3 Scuppo Rd A motion was made by Councilman Henry, to refer this to the City Engineer and Planning Commission for reports. So Ordered. 11. COMMUNICATION - Application for Renewal of Extension of Sewer Main - 5 Great Pasture Road A motion was made by Councilman DiGilio, to refer this to the City Engineer and Planning Commission for reports. So Ordered. 12. RESOLUTION - Land Donations - Apple Ridge Road - Two Parcels adjacent to Danbury Career Academy A motion was made by Councilman Fox, seconded by Councilman Cavo, to receive the communication and adopt the resolution, that by virtue of the receipt of the communication from Delaware MMP Realty, LLC, M&M Realty, and Mr. Melvyn Powers; offering the donation of two parcels of land at Apple Ridge Road; that the City Council receive said parcels, and that Mayor Dean Esposito herby is authorized to accept donations subject to any terms or conditions he and the Office of Corporation Counsel shall determine; and process all necessary actions to fulfill that purpose as appropriate for the development of the Danbury Career Academy. The motion carried unanimously. 13. RESOLUTION - BOE /Danbury School Nurses Assoc. - Funding for Pension Provisions A motion was made by Councilman Cavo, seconded by Councilman DiGilio, to receive the communication and adopt the resolution for the funding pension provisions in the collective bargain agreement between the City of Danbury and Board of Education Local 1303-295 Council #4 AFSCME, AFL-CIO, Danbury School Nurses Association, from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2024. The motion carried unanimously. Mr. Garrick clarified the City contributions for employees with Councilman Chianese. 14. RESOLUTION - American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021 - Reallocation of Funds A motion was made by Councilman DiGilio, seconded by Councilwoman Cammisa, to receive the communication and adopt the resolution reallocating funds regarding the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, as presented. The motion carried unanimously. Mr. Garrick responded to Council Perkins regarding the City Council's ability to make suggestions for the selection of future programs, and asked that all suggestions be made to the Finance Office. 15. RESOLUTION - Community Development Block Grant Program - Program Year 48  A motion was made by Councilman Cavo, seconded by Councilman DiGilio, to receive the communication and adopt the resolution for the Community Development Block Grant Program Year 48, and authorize you (Mayor Dean Esposito) to execute all documents as necessary to effectuate the purpose of this resolution and grant program. The motion carried unanimously. Mr. Thode clarified the purpose of the $25,825 Fire Department funds (bulk smoke alarm order) with Councilman Visconti. He explained to Councilman Rotello that the Smoke Alarm Program distributes and installs alarms free of charge to the community. 16. RESOLUTION - Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program - Police Dept. *CONSENTED - as received. 17. RESOLUTION - Citizen Corps Program - Office of Emergency Management *CONSENTED - as received. 18. RESOLUTION - Emergency Shelter Grant - Amendment - Health & Human Services *CONSENTED - as received. 19. RESOLUTION - Preventative Health and Health Services Block Grant (Type 2 Diabetes Prevention) - Amendment - Health & Human Services *CONSENTED - as received. 20. REPORT & RESOLUTIONS - Naming of Building & Street in honor of Joseph W. Pepin A motion was made by Councilman DiGilio, and was 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 Cavo, seconded by Councilman Eriquez, to receive the Committee’s report and the recommendation, as well as adopt the two resolutions attached with item #20; that will recommend to the Council to adopt the resolution to distinguish Roberts Avenue as Joe Pepin Way, and to distinguish the building at 26 Locus Avenue, as the Joseph W. Pepin memorial building. The motion carried unanimously. Councilman Santos expressed gratitude to be able to work with his fellow Council Members on the building/street honorary naming. He spoke on Joseph Pepin and the strong community support for these honors (twenty-two plus letters of support were submitted). Furthermore, he explained a need for the City to develop an official naming process. Councilman Knapp spoke on his friendship with Joseph Pepin and his presence in the community. Mayor Esposito spoke on Joseph Pepin's great leadership in the community and thanked his family. 21. REPORTS - Planning & Engineering - Sidewalk Easement for 3-7 Great Plain Rd. *CONSENTED - as received. 22. REPORTS - Planning & Engineering - Sidewalk Easement for 32 Miry Brook Road *CONSENTED - as received. 23. REPORT - Public Hearing - ATVs on City Property: Ordinance 46-3 *CONSENTED - as received. 24. REPORT - Ad Hoc - License Agreement for Use of City Property - Old Sherman Turnpike 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. A motion was made by Councilman Knapp, seconded by Councilman DiGilio, to receive the report of the Ad Hoc Committee, and accept the license agreement, and authorize the execution of the license agreement subject to the approval by Corporation Counsel. The motion carried unanimously. 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 the reports as presented. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Iadarola provided a reservoir update to Councilman Rotello. The reservoir plants pushout nine million gallons of water, and the reservoir capacity is in great shape. He explained the paving project details to Councilman Santos. Furthermore, the paving project list represents 80% of the budget capacity with the potential for another phase of paving, and the City continues to work with the state to finish up the Main Street drainage project. The Mayor thanked Councilman Cavo for his contributions to these improvements. Mr. Ridenhour addressed the enforcement/public outreach regarding the new ATVs ordinance with Councilman Chianese. The Mayor Extended all Committees. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Councilman DiGilio, and was seconded by Councilman Knapp to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:41 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