City Council

~AD HOC REPORT~ Government Entities Review Committee Tuesday, February 20, 2024 Chairman Rotello called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 20, 2024. Members present were Diane LaPine, Council & Committee Member; Elmer Palma, Council & Committee Member; Mark Chory, Member; and Alan Boyce, Member. From the City were: Michael Marcus, Tarrywile Park Authority; John Ashkar, Aviation Commission; Sharon Calitro, Planning Director; Michael Safranek, Airport Administrator; Taylor O’Brien, Mayor’s Office; and Les Pinter, Deputy Corporation Counsel. Ex Officio Members: Duane Perkins, Peter Buzaid, Frank Salvatore, Ben Chianese, and Mike Coelho. Tarrywile Park Authority Members: Dave Manacek, Nancy Wakeham, Ed Prybylski, and Julia LaValla. Public: Robert Doyle, Resident; and Mike Flanagan, Resident. Tarrywile Park Authority Chair Rotello provided an overview of the entities review process. Mr. Marcus stated he did not receive the questionnaire until the after the Tarrywile Park Authority’s Executive Director sent her responses, and he suggested that the authority complete the questionnaire as a group. He suggested that the response that recommended dissolving the Authority was due to a lack of sufficient funding. He provided a brief overview of the following: park’s status, initiatives (stewardship, park user experience review, pond health, and wildlife habitats), surveying (State’s Forestry Department), grants, community support, volunteer program reactivation, fundraising, and the Authority’s history. Member Palma stated that the park seems to be doing well based on Mr. Marcus’ summary. Mr. Marcus clarified funding sources and Authority membership terms (three-year terms). He expressed the need for additional City funding. The Committee requested the Authority’s page on the website be updated. Ms. Calitro confirmed the castle preservation project was funded by the City’s SNAPP Bond. Mr. Duane Perkins identified pending ARPA funded projects, among other things parking lot/signage improvements, and pavilion construction). Furthermore, an application was submitted for a trails grant; and the strategic plan includes data collection to identify the number of visitors to the park. Mr. Marcus stated he does not know why funding has been reduced over the years and he noted the lack of security cameras. He explained that field maintenance is performed annually as recommended, due to ground nesting birds. Ms. Wakeham spoke on park usage increases since COVID, and urged the City to assist with the park’s maintenance needs. Chair Rotello explained how the committee does not have the authority to re- designate an authority into a city department. A motion was made by Member Palma, seconded by Member LaPine, to reestablish the Tarrywile Park Authority until 2028. The motion carries unanimously. Danbury Parks & Recreation Commission Ms. O’Brien discussed the status of the Parks and Recreation Department. She provided an overview of the recruitment of a new Director, and suggested that the Parks & Recreation Commission could be revitalized with new members that would assist the new Director with their vision and needs. The Commission could act as an advisory to the Director. Chair Rotello confirmed that Commission members would be confirmed by the City Council. Mr. Chianese favors reestablishing a new Commission to oversee operations and maintenance of the fields. Mr. Pinter read the Charter’s overview of the Commission’s purpose. Chair Rotello spoke in support of reestablishing the Commission. A motion was made by Member LaPine, seconded by Member Palma, to recommend the reestablishment of the Danbury Parks & Recreation Commission, together with the request that the Office of the Mayor review and make recommendations as to any future reconstitution or other functional purpose that the entity can be. Motion carried unanimously. Aviation Commission Mr. Safranek discussed the importance of the Aviation Commission. He provided a brief overview of the following: Danbury Airport and Commission history, operations, and compliance standards. He noted that most recently the Commission supported new leases that allocated all revenue towards airport improvements. Mr. Pinter clarified the Commission’s meeting requirements with Mr. Chianese. Mr. Ashkar spoke on the Commission’s accomplishments and plans. He explained how the Commission only schedules meetings when needed. Furthermore, he reiterated how the new leases are generating significant income for the City. A motion was made by Member LaPine, seconded by Member Palma, to recommend the reestablishment of the Aviation Commission through June 30, 2028. Motion carried unanimously. Design Review Board Ms. Calitro discussed the intent of the Design Review Board. She provided a brief overview of the following: Board establishment in 2007, challenges that lead to the Board becoming obsolete including the 2008 economic collapse and the implementation of design requirements by Planning & Zoning regulations. She explained how the Board has no legal authority to implement their findings. Member Palma suggested giving the Commission one year to meet and act. Mr. Salvatore and Mr. Chianese agreed the inactive Board is not needed at this time and should be sunset (terminated). Chair Rotello discussed his constituents’ concerns with building design throughout the city. Furthermore, he concurs with Member. Palma’s recommendation to terminate after one year. He suggested interested parties could use this Board as a starting point for a Board with more authority. A motion was made by Member LaPine, seconded by Member Palma, to recommend the reestablishment of the Design Review Board for one year, and request that the Office of the Mayor review and make recommendations as to any future reconstitution or other functional purpose that the entity can be. Motion carried unanimously. Danbury Housing Partnership Mr. Pinter clarified entity reestablishment and review process with the Committee. Member Palma left the Ad Hoc Committee meeting. Ms. Calitro discussed the purpose of the Danbury Housing Partnership. She provided an overview of the following: entity’s intent, affordable housing plan, last meeting (year 2016), and potential Partnership utilization by the Health & Human Services Department. Chair Rotello spoke on the housing issue. Chair Rotello suggested that the new City Council have an opportunity to consider the Partnership’s need and utilization. Furthermore, he suggested reestablishing the entity for one more year to provide a potential outlet for the homeless population issue in the City. Member Chory suggested City Council address the need for this Partnership prior to the one year. Member Boyce suggested further evaluating the Partnership. Mr. Chianese supported utilizing the Partnership to address the homeless population issue and housing crisis in the City, and that the Partnership should be extended for one year to help address the mentioned issues. Ms. Calitro confirmed in addition to affordable housing, the Partnership could address homelessness. Mr. Pinter stated that the Partnership was extended for one year by the Committee last year, and that the City Council approved termination of the Partnership to take place on June 30, 2024. Chair Rotello stated that the new Mayor and City Council should be able to reconsider the reestablishment of the Partnership for one more year. Mr. Pinter confirmed the previous Ad Hoc motion did not include any stipulations, and requested that the Committee include a contingency in this motion. A motion was made by Member LaPine, seconded by Member Chory, to recommend the reestablishment of the Danbury Housing Partnership, together with a request that the Office of the Mayor review and make recommendations as to any further reconstitution or other functional purpose that the entity can be; reestablishing it for one year through June 30, 2025. Motion carried unanimously. (Palma was absent for the vote). A motion made by Member LaPine, and seconded by Member Chory, to adjourn. The motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:09 p.m. (Palma was absent for the vote). Respectfully submitted, Paul Rotello, Chair Diane LaPine Elmer Palma Mark Chory Alan Boyce