City Council

CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING December 4, 2023 – 8 P.M. Honorable Mayor, Roberto Alves, called the meeting to order at 8:03p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE & PRAYER The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Sean Hatch. Councilman Salvatore led all in prayer. ROLL CALL COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Britton, Peter Buzaid, Emile Buzaid, Chianese, Coelho, Gartner, Giordano, Hawley, LaPine, Masi, McAllister, Palma, Dennis Perkins, Duane Perkins, Ratchford, Rickert, Robinson, Salvatore, Simone. COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Rotello, Tomchik PRESENT: 19, ABSENT: 2 ALSO PRESENT: Les Pinter, Deputy Corporation Counsel; Robin Edwards, Assistant Corporation Counsel; and Elisa Etcheto, Legislative Assistant. NOTICE OF THE SPECIAL MEETING The Legislative Assistant read the Notice of the Special Meeting. CALL TO SERVICE A motion was made by Councilman Britton, seconded by Councilman Chianese, to accept the call to return to service for the special meeting. The motion carried unanimously. PUBLIC SPEAKING - None 1. – ELECTION OF CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT Mayor Alves opened nominations. A motion was made by Councilman Chianese, seconded by Councilman Perkins, to nominate Councilman Paul Rotello. A motion was made by Councilman Salvatore, seconded by Councilwoman Gartner, to nominate Councilman Peter Buzaid. Mayor Alves closed nominations. A motion was made by Councilman Salvatore, seconded by Councilwoman Gartner that the nominations be closed, and call for a roll call vote for City Council President. The motion carried unanimously. Councilman Chianese noted the 18 years of service by Councilman Rotello to the City Council. Councilman Salvatore explained Councilman Buzaid’s service to the city and noted his leadership roles in the community. Councilman Perkins spoke in favor of Councilman Rotello’s nomination, and discussed the importance of procedural knowledge for the position of City Council President. Councilwoman Gartner noted the importance of having a council president who is open to ideas and moderation and supports Councilman Buzaid for Council President. Councilman spoke in favor of Councilman Buzaid’s nomination due to his experience and knowledge of city government. ROLL CALL VOTE: 13 Buzaid, 6 Rotello (Chianese, Coelho, Masi, Palma, Dennis Perkins, Duane Perkins). City Council President Peter Buzaid thanked the council for their support and that he looks forward to serving Danbury 2. RESOLUTION – City Council Regular Meeting Schedule (2024-2025) A motion was made by Councilman Buzaid, seconded by Councilman Chianese, to accept the resolution with the meeting schedule. Motion Carried unanimously. 3. RESOLUTION – Special Meetings of the City Council A motion was made by Councilwoman Gartner, seconded by Salvatore, to receive the resolution and to adopt the guidelines for special meetings as set forth in the resolution. Amendment: A motion was made by Councilman Chianese, seconded by Councilman Duane Perkins, to amend the motion to allow electronic means to be added as part of the special notice of the special meetings. Motion Carried unanimously. Councilman Chianese discussed the need for the resolution, dating back to 2005, to include electronic means to save on costs and bring the process up-to-date. Councilman Perkins supports the addition of electronic means to the resolution. Motion to Amend: A motion was made by Councilman Salvatore, seconded by Councilwoman Gartner, to amend the original motion to add “and as amended”. Motion Carried unanimously. Main Motion with the amendment: A motion was made by Councilwoman Gartner, seconded by Salvatore, to receive the resolution and to adopt the guidelines for special meetings as set forth in the resolution, and as amended. Motion Carried unanimously. ADJOURNMENT Councilman Palma asked that the prayer at each meeting continue to include God. A motion was made by Councilwoman LaPine, seconded by Councilman E. Buzaid, to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:25p.m. Copies of Agenda Items are available in the Legislative Assistant’s Office and on the City’s website. Respectfully submitted by, Elisa Etcheto, Legislative Assistant; Attested by City Council President Buzaid.