City Council

CITY COUNCIL MEETING December 6, 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, Visconti, Esposito, Esposito III, Masi, Palma, Henry, Britton, Perkins, Santos, Cammisa. COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Halas, Fox, Chianese and Molinaro. PRESENT: 17, ABSENT: 4 ALSO PRESENT: Bob Yamin, Corporation Counsel; Les Pinter, Deputy Corporation Counsel; Dan Garrick, Assistant Finance Director; and Elisa Etcheto, Legislative Assistant. PUBLIC INPUT Kate Conetta, Resident, 4 Topfield Rd., commented on items 5 and 21. Ken Gucker, State Representative & Resident, 89 Padanaram Rd., commented on items 6, 12, 5, 14, 16, and 21. MINUTES - Minutes of the Council Meeting held November 2, 2022 A motion was made by Councilman DiGilio, and was seconded by Councilman Knapp, to both waive the reading of the Minutes and approve them as presented, as we all have copies and copies are on file in the Legislative Assistant's Office. The motion carried unanimously. CONSENT CALENDAR 6. COMMUNICATION - Appointments to Government Entity - Commission on Aging Receive the Communication and approve the appointment of Mr. Jean Paul Trudel and Mrs. Patricia Weiner to the Commission on Aging with their term to expire on December 7, 2025. 7. COMMUNICATION - Appointment to Government Entity - Tarrywile Park Authority Receive the Communication approve the appointment of Ms. Julia LaValla to the Tarrywile Park Authority with a term to expire on December 7, 2025. 8. COMMUNICATION - Donation of Electric Charging Stations for Bardo Parking Garage by Union Savings Bank Receive the Communication and accept the generous donation from Union Savings Bank for two electric charging stations for the City’s Charles A. Bardo parking garage valued at $7,000 and send the appropriate letter of thanks. 15. RESOLUTION - CT DSS Low Income Household Water Assistance Program - Community Action Agency of Western CT, Inc. Receive the Communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing Dean Esposito, Mayor of the City of Danbury to apply for and accept funding from the Connecticut Department of Social Services Low Income Water Assistance Program as presented. 16. RESOLUTION - CT DECD Urban Action Grant - Award Requirements - Danbury War Memorial Association, Inc. Receive the Communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing Dean Esposito, Mayor of the City of Danbury to execute the “Negative Pledge” and “Restrictive Covenant” related to the grant awarded to the Danbury War Memorial Association, Inc. as presented. 17. RESOLUTION - CT DOT Click It or Ticket Seatbelt Enforcement Program - Police Dept. Receive the Communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing Dean Esposito, Mayor of the City of Danbury, or Police Chief Patrick Ridenhour to accept grant funding for the State of Connecticut “Click It or Ticket” Seatbelt Enforcement Program as presented. 18. RESOLUTION - CT DESPP DEMHS Citizen Corps Program - Office of Emergency Management Receive the Communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing Dean Esposito, Mayor of the City of Danbury, or Matthew Cassavechia, Emergency Management Director to apply for and accept grant funding from the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection as presented. 19. RESOLUTION - CT DPH Epidemiology & Laboratory Capacity II Grant - Funding Extension Receive the Communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing Dean Esposito, Mayor of the City of Danbury, or Kara Prunty, Director of Health to accept said funding from the Connecticut Department of Health, Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity II Grant as presented. 22. REPORT - Reliant Air Services Lease Agreement - Airport Receive the reports of the Ad Hoc Committee and the Danbury Aviation Commission and approve the Lease Agreement between the City of Danbury and Reliant Aircraft Services, Inc. as presented. A motion was made by Councilman Knapp, and was seconded by Councilman Perkins, to accept the Consent Calendar as presented. The motion (with amendments) carried unanimously. A motion was made by Councilman Rotello, to remove item 22 from the Consent Calendar. So Ordered. Councilman Santos noted a misread name correction (Jean not John) to consent calendar item #6. 1. COMMUNICATION - Fire Department Promotion - Adam Horosky to Fire Lieutenant A motion was made by Councilman Esposito, seconded by Councilman Visconti, to receive the correspondence and approve the promotional appointment of Fire Fighter Adam Horosky to the position of Fire Lieutenant in the Danbury Fire Department. The motion carried unanimously. 2. COMMUNICATION - Fire Department Promotion - Gabriel Rivera to Fire Lieutenant A motion was made by Councilman Levy, seconded by Councilman Eriquez, to confirm the promotion of Fire Fighter Gabriel Rivera to the position of Fire Lieutenant in the Danbury Fire Department. The motion carried unanimously. 3. COMMUNICATION - Fire Department Promotion - Kenneth Stilson III to Fire Lieutenant A motion was made by Councilman Cavo, seconded by Councilman Esposito, to receive the communication and approve the appointment of Fire Fighter Kenneth Stilson III. The motion carried unanimously. 4. COMMUNICATION - Police Department Appointments - Jarrin, Gillespie, Brown, Pichardo, Revan, Lott, Niang, Orlanski, Rodriguez to Police Officers A motion was made by Councilman Henry, seconded by Councilman Esposito III, to receive the communication and confirm the appointments of Kevin Jarrin, William Gillespie, Michael Brown, Jeffrey Pichardo, Justyn Revan, Terence Lott, Abo Niang, Justin Orlanski, Angel Rodriguez to the position of certified Police Officers in the Danbury Police Department. The motion carried unanimously. 5. COMMUNICATION - Appointment of Daniel Garrick to Director of Finance A motion was made by Councilman Cavo, seconded by Councilman Visconti, to receive this communication and approve the appointment and promotion of Mr. Daniel Garrick to the position of Director of Finance. The motion carried unanimously. Mayor Esposito congratulated Mr. Garrick and thanked him for stepping up to the position, and thanked the Human Resources Department for their hard works. Councilman Visconti thanked Mr. Garrick and congratulated him on doing a great job. 6. COMMUNICATION - Appointments to Government Entity - Commission on Aging *CONSENTED - as received. 7. COMMUNICATION - Appointment to Government Entity - Tarrywile Park Authority *CONSENTED - as received. 8. COMMUNICATION - Donation of Electric Charging Stations for Bardo Parking Garage by Union Savings Bank *CONSENTED - as received. 9. COMMUNICATION - Lease Renewal - 33 Hayestown Road to Danbury Fish & Game Assoc. A motion was made by Councilman Knapp, to refer this to an Ad Hoc with Corporation Counsel, Superintendent of Public Buildings, a representative from the Mayor's Office, and a report from the Planning Commission So Ordered. The Mayor appointed Councilman Henry in the chair, along with Councilmen Esposito III and Chianese. 10. COMMUNICATION - Ad Hoc Request - to create a Formal Process of Naming & Renaming City Buildings, Parks, Fields, Streets and Property A motion was made by Councilman DiGilio, to send this ietm to an Ad Hoc consisting Corporation Counsel, Superintendent of Public Buildings, the Director of Planning, and a representative from the Mayor's Office. So Ordered. The Mayor appointed Councilman Cavo in the chair, along with Councilmen Knapp and Santos. 11. COMMUNICATION - Application for Extension of Water Main - 21 Old Sherman Turnpike A motion was made by Councilman Masi, to refer this to the City Engineer, and City Planning Commission. So Ordered. 12. ORDINANCE - Appointments to Government Entities Review Committee (GERC) 2023 A motion was made by Councilman Eriquez, seconded by Councilman Rotello, to receive the communication and approve the appointment of Council Members Levy, Rotello, DiGilio; in addition to Danbury citizens Alan Boyce, Mark Chory, to serve on the Government Entities Review Committee (GERC). The motion carried unanimously. 13. ORDINANCE - Bond Issuance & Ordinance Adoption: Water System Upgrades & Improvements A motion was made by Councilman DiGilio, to refer this item to a Public Hearing, followed by a Committee of The Whole. So Ordered. 14. RESOLUTION - CT DAS HVAC Grant Program - Board of Education A motion was made by Councilman Esposito III, seconded by Councilman Palma, to receive the communication and adopt the resolution allowing the Board of Education of the City of Danbury, through the Superintendent of Schools, to file a grant application for state reimbursement funding for HVAC improvements at Danbury High School as presented. The motion carried unanimously. Mr. Iadarola explained the maintenance plans for a new HVAC system to Councilman Rotello. Mr. Spang (BOE Director of Finance) addressed maintenance and operational cost with Councilman Britton. He explained the City's decision to avoid the use of ARPA Funds with Councilman DiGilio. Mr. Iadarola addressed the City's supervision of a new HVAC system with Councilman Perkins. 15. RESOLUTION - CT DSS Low Income Household Water Assistance Program - Community Action Agency of Western CT, Inc. *CONSENTED - as received. 16. RESOLUTION - CT DECD Urban Action Grant - Award Requirements - Danbury War Memorial Association, Inc. *CONSENTED - as received. 17. RESOLUTION - CT DOT Click It or Ticket Seatbelt Enforcement Program - Police Dept. *CONSENTED - as received. 18. RESOLUTION - CT DESPP DEMHS Citizen Corps Program - Office of Emergency Management *CONSENTED - as received. 19. RESOLUTION - CT DPH Epidemiology & Laboratory Capacity II Grant - Funding Extension *CONSENTED - as received. 20. REPORT & ORDINANCES - Request for changes to Ordinance Sec. 14-104 & 14-105 - Volunteer Fire Companies A motion was made by Councilman DiGilio, seconded by Councilman Rotello, to waive the reading of the reports, for both the Public Hearing and the Committee of The Whole, as we all have copies and copies are on file in the Legislative Assistant's Office. The motion carried unanimously. A motion was made by Councilman DiGilio, seconded by Councilman Cavo, to receive both the public hearing and the Committee of The Whole reports related to the Volunteer Fire Companies changes to ordinances sections 14-104 & 14-105, and approve the adoption of said ordinances as amended and presented. The motion carried unanimously. 21. REPORT - Property Tax Assessment Deferral Agreement - 333 Main St. A motion was made by Councilman Levy, seconded by Councilman Cavo, to receive the Committee report and adopt the recommendations to approve the Tax Assessment Deferral Agreement between the City of Danbury and Brookvield Commons LLC, as provided in the agenda items: 21-1, 21-2, 21-3, 21-4, 21-5, and authorize the Mayor to sign all documents to effectuate the agreement. 10 Yes, 6 No (Eriquez, Rotello, Esposito III, Palma, Britton, Santos), 5 Absent (Buzaid (left meeting prior to this item & vote), Halas, Fox, Chianese, Molinaro). Motion Carries. Councilman Levy discussed how tax deferrals have benefitted the City and downtown in the long run. Councilman Santos expressed concern regarding the proposed tax deferral and is voting against it. Councilmen Perkins spoke in support of the tax deferral and addressed its benefits to downtown. Councilman Rotello spoke on the history of the deferral request, and is in opposition of the tax deferral. Councilman DiGilio clarified the deferral application and process of extensions. He is in support of honoring the approval of the initial tax deferral agreement. 22. REPORT - Reliant Air Services Lease Agreement - Airport A motion was made by Councilman Knapp, seconded by Councilman DiGilio, to receive the reports from the Ad Hoc Committee and the Danbury Aviation Commission; and approve the lease agreement between the City of Danbury and Reliant Air Services Inc, as presented. The motion carried unanimously. *Councilman Buzaid was absent for vote. Mr. Garrick clarified the exclusivity of the Airport Improvement Fund with Councilman Rotello. Mr. Safranek addressed the template and uniformity for leases moving forward with Councilman Visconti. 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 both waive the reading of the Minutes as all members have copies and copies are on file in the Legislative Assistant's Office; and approve the reports as presented. The motion carried unanimously. *Councilman Buzaid was absent for vote. Mr. Ridenhour discussed the departments vacancy rate challenges and recruitment efforts with Councilman Santos. Councilmen Visconti and Esposito thanked Mr. Stillman, Mr. Iadarola and Mr. Nolan for their hard work with sidewalks and paving. Mr. Iadarola discussed how the City works with the State DOT to initiate the repair of State roads with Councilman Levy. He provided a brief overview of improvement projects around the City with Councilmen Santos, Perkins and Visconti. Councilman DiGilio thanked Mr. Thode and the volunteer and career Fire Department members for their hard work on the consolidation of volunteer fire companies. Ms. Murphy discussed the out of state license plate scanning project with Councilman Perkins. The City will provide a detailed data report to the Council. Mayor Esposito congratulated Councilman Santos on his recent election to the office of State Representative. Mayor Extended All Committees. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Councilman Cavo, seconded by Councilman Knapp, to adjourn. The motion carried unanimously. *Councilman Buzaid was absent for vote. The meeting adjourned at 9:15 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