City Council

~AD HOC REPORT~ Disposition of City Property (17 North Street) Thursday, May 9, 2024 Chair Andrea Gartner called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m. on Thursday, May 9, 2024. Present were Committee Members Barry Rickert and Elmer Palma. From the City were Joseph Mortelliti, Outside Counsel; Dan Garrick, Director of Finance; William Lounsbury, Assistant Fire Chief; Sean Hanley, Public Buildings Superintendent; Taylor O’Brien and Francesca Capodilupo, Mayor’s Office. Ex Officio Members present were Ben Chianese and Frank Salvatore. Also from the City was Jorge Sousa, Economic Development Director. Mr. Lounsbury discussed the request for disposition of City property formerly used as a volunteer firehouse at 17 North Street. He provided a brief overview of the following: property’s history, pandemic uses, and vacancy and utilities status. Chair Gartner asked about square footage, and Mr. Rickert provided a tax assessment card which notes just over 2,600 square feet, with a basement used only for utilities according to Mr. Lounsbury. Mr. Mortelliti spoke on the City’s property disposal process. Mr. Lounsbury explained how the station was utilized during the COVID pandemic and has been empty since. Currently, the state of the property is in disrepair, and the physical location of the site has significant entry and parking challenges. Mr. Sousa discussed the current access points to the building, and he clarified the use of a shared driveway for Mr. Palma. Ms. O’Brien confirmed the Mayor’s Office is not evaluating other uses of the property due to its limited access and state of disrepair, and at this time the Mayor supports the disposition request. Mr. Rickert asked about the value of the property and Mr. Palma asked about potential uses by a new owner. Mr. Hanley explained that the land is not big enough to build with any beneficial use. He noted that the City would save more money by demolishing the property versus trying to update or maintain it. Mr. Mortelliti confirmed that interested buyers can provide a proposed use during the RFP process. Mr. Chianese discussed possible uses of the property but agreed with the lack of access and parking, noting that the property is not big enough for residential use either. Mr. Chianese suggested the City perform an appraisal to determine the value of the property. Mr. Sousa discussed the factors to consider when determining property value. Mr. Chianese and Mr. Palma favor allocating the sale proceeds to the Volunteer Fire Companies. A motion made by Committee Member Rickert, seconded by Committee Member Palma, to subject to a report from the Planning Commission, and in accordance with the Danbury Code of Ordinances Section 2- 211 B, as it pertains to disposition of real property, the Ad Hoc Committee moves to recommend to the City Council to declare the subject property at 17 North Street as surplus, and together with a Public Hearing under Connecticut General Statutes 7-163 E, recommend to dispose of the subject known property by request for proposals, pursuant to Danbury Code of Ordinances 2-211 B and General Statute 7-163 E. Motion carried unanimously. A motion made by Committee Member Palma, and seconded by Committee Member Rickert, to adjourn. The motion carries unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 6:58 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Andrea Gartner, Chair Barry Rickert Elmer Palma