City Council

PUBLIC HEARING 2023 – 2024 Ordinances and Resolutions (Budget, NAA, GERC) Thursday, April 20, 2023 Call To Order: Mr. DiGilio called the Public Hearing to order at 7:04 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Finance Director Dan Garrick led the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll Call: COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Buzaid, Cavo, Levy, DiGilio, Visconti, Esposito, Esposito III, Masi, Perkins, Henry, Eriquez, Merchan, Chianese, Cammisa. COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Knapp, Rotello, Halas, Fox, Britton, Perkins, Molinaro PRESENT: 14, ABSENT: 7 ALSO PRESENT: Dean Esposito, Mayor; John Kleinhans, Government Affairs & Communications Advisor; Les Pinter, Deputy Corporation Counsel; Dan Garrick, Finance Director; David Day, Public Utilities Superintendent; Kevin Walston, Superintendent of Public Schools; John Spang, Public Schools Chief Financial Officer; Michael Seelig, Public Schools Chief Strategy & Operations Officer; and Elisa Etcheto, Legislative Assistant. NOTICE: Mr. DiGilio read the Legal Notice, published in the News-Times paper & website on April 10, 2023, for the City Council to hear public comment on Ordinances and Resolutions: (1) An Ordinance Making Appropriations for the Fiscal year Beginning July 1, 2023 and ending June 30, 2024 and a Resolution Levying the Property Tax for the Fiscal Year Beginning July 1, 2023 and ending June 30, 2024. (2) An Ordinance Appropriating $3,000,000 for Public Improvements in the 2023-2024 Capital Budget and Authorizing the Issuance of $3,000,000 Bonds of the City to Meet said Appropriations and Pending the Issuance Thereof the Making of Temporary Borrowings for Such Purpose. (3) An Ordinance establishing Sewer Rates as of July 1, 2023 (4) An Ordinance establishing Water Rates as of July 1, 2023 (5) Neighborhood Assistance Act (6) Government Entities Review Committee (G.E.R.C.) The City of Danbury Cultural Commission. The Commission on Aging. The Parking Authority of the City of Danbury. The Lake Kenosia Commission. The Flood and Erosion Control Board of the City of Danbury. The Youth Commission. PUBLIC SPEAKERS: Lynn Waller, Resident, 83 Highland Avenue. Spoke on reevaluation, mill rate, tax bill increases, senior discounts, employee accruals, and sewer and water bills. Richard Janellli, Resident, 18 Benson Drive. Thanked the Mayor for fully funding the education budget and the career academy. Expressed concerns over continued growth and urged for a long-term education budget analysis and plan. Farley Santos, Resident, 27 Westview Drive. Spoke on long-term effects of underfunding the education budget. *Councilman Duane Perkins arrived at 7:22pm PRESENT: 15, ABSENT: 6 Kathy Snow, Resident, 6 Lindencrest Drive. Supports the full funding of the education budget. Larry Riefberg, Resident, 6 Ervie Drive. Discussed the property tax reevaluation review process. Asked for a phase-in or delay of assessments. Asked for an increase to the education budget. Michael Safranek, Resident, 24 Jackson Drive. Thanked the Mayor for fully funding the education budget. Discussed increased costs and its effect on additional general city funding needs. Noted that the education budget is presented by paid experts whose job is to analyze and present a proposed budget. Is opposed to a phase-in of property reevaluations. Eduardo (inaudible), Resident, 8 ½ 4th Street. Spoke on fully funding the education budget. Is against a charter school. Roberto Alves, Resident, 7 West Redding Road. Spoke in support of the education budget and against the budget process. *Councilman Joseph Britton arrived at 7:50pm PRESENT: 16, ABSENT: 5 Dean Esposito, Mayor & Resident, 7 Hospital Avenue. Thanked council members for their volunteer work throughout the budget process. Discussed the need to keep the burden on taxpayers down while providing quality services. Spoke on the allocation of the funds in the education budget. John Woodruff, Resident, 57 Middle River Road. Spoke against the budget process and the proposed education budget and long term underfunding. Gladys Cooper, BOE member & Resident, 1 Southern Boulevard. Thanked the Mayor for fully funding the budget and spoke on the effects of long term underfunding. Jim Maloney, Resident, 15 Wooster Heights. Discussed the benefits of a phase-in of property reevaluations. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Councilman Levy, seconded by Councilman Palma, to close the public hearing. The motion carried unanimously. A motion was made by Councilman Levy, seconded by Councilman Cavo, to adjourn. The motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:15p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Elisa Etcheto, Legislative Assistant Attest: Vinny DiGilio, City Council President