City Council

CITY COUNCIL MEETING JUNE 4, 2024 - 7:30 PM Honorable Mayor, Roberto Alves, called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE & PRAYER The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Sean Hatch. Frank Salvatore led all in prayer. ROLL CALL COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Rickert, Gartner, Salvatore, Peter Buzaid, Emile Buzaid, Coelho, Lapine, Ratchford, Fox, Robinson, Britton, McAllister, Duane Perkins, Chianese, Rotello, Giordano, Dennis Perkins, Palma, Hawley, and Tomchik. COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Simone. PRESENT: 20, ABSENT: 1 ALSO PRESENT: Dan Casagrande, Corporation Counsel; Les Pinter, Deputy Corporation Counsel; and Elisa Etcheto, Legislative Assistant PUBLIC INPUT MINUTES - Minutes of the Council Meeting held May 7, 2024 and Special Meeting held May 22, 2024 A motion was made by Councilman P. Buzaid, and was seconded by Councilman Perkins, to receive the minutes from the May 7th Regular meeting and the May 22nd Special meeting, and waive the reading of the minutes, as all Members have copies and copies are on file in the Legislative Assistant's Office, and approve them as presented. The motion carried unanimously. CONSENT CALENDAR 2. COMMUNICATION - Conveyance of Sidewalk Easement to City - 3, 5, 7, 9 Morgan Ave. I move to receive the communication and refer this to the City Engineer and Planning Commission for reports back to the council. 3. COMMUNICATION - Appropriation to the Ambulance Fund - Finance I move to receive the communication and approve the additional appropriation of $353,784, for the Ambulance Fund’s 2022-2023 budget as presented. 4. COMMUNICATION - Annual Suspense List - Tax Collector I move to receive the communication and approve the request to transfer $373,533.97 of tax amounts due to the City of Danbury deemed uncollectable to the Annual Suspense List related to the 2014 Motor Vehicle and Personal Property taxes and list the names and amounts due with the Legislative Assistant’s and Tax Collector’s offices as presented. 7. RESOLUTION - CT DPH & CDC Immunization and Vaccines for Children - Additional Funding from COVID-19 Supplement Grant - Health & Human Services I move to receive the communication and adopt the resolution to authorize Roberto L. Alves, Mayor of the City of Danbury, or Fernanda Carvalho, Acting Director of Health and Human Services, as his designee, is authorized to accept funding in an amount not to exceed $113,468 (there is no local match required), submit reimbursement requests, and to execute all contracts and agreements necessary to effectuate the purposes thereof. 9. RESOLUTION - ARPA Reallocation of Funds I move to receive the communication and adopt the resolution to reallocate funds for the American Rescue Plan Act in the amount of $509,000 to the items listed in Exhibit 1-A-J as presented. 11. RESOLUTION - FAA Supplemental Funding Application - Electric Vehicles Grant - Airport I move to receive the communication and authorizes Mayor Roberto L. Alves and/or Michael Safranek, Airport Administrator, to submit and execute the documentation to secure the necessary funding ($130,513 by the FAA and $14,501 from the City of Danbury), related to the FAA Grant Application with the stipulation noted that there might be slight cost differences. A motion was made by Councilman Gartner, and was seconded by Councilman Duane Perkins, to accept the Consent Calendar as presented. The motion carried failed. A motion was made by Councilman Coelho, and was seconded by Councilman (unknown), to remove item 3 from the Consent Calendar, regarding the communication and the approve of additional appropriation of $353,784, from the Ambulance Fund's budget as presented. The motion carried unanimously. Councilman Coelho removed Item 3 from Consent. AGENDA 1. COMMUNICATION - Appointments to Sustainability Team A motion was made by Councilman Ratchford, seconded by Councilman Salvatore, to receive the communication and confirm the appointments of Sonia Havasi, Mike Flanagan, and Elizabeth Falk to Danbury’s Sustainability Team as part of Danbury’s membership in Sustainable Connecticut. The motion carried unanimously. 2. COMMUNICATION - Conveyance of Sidewalk Easement to City - 3, 5, 7, 9 Morgan Ave. *CONSENTED - as received. 3. COMMUNICATION - Appropriation to the Ambulance Fund - Finance A motion was made by Councilman Salvatore, seconded by Councilman Rotello, to receive the communication and approve the additional appropriation of $353,784, for the ambulance funds 2022-2023 budget as presented. The motion carried unanimously. Mr. Garrick (Finance Director) compared this year’s appropriation to the Ambulance Fund to previous years for Councilman Coelho. He noted that the request is being made now due to the recent completion of the 2022 Audit. 4. COMMUNICATION - Annual Suspense List - Tax Collector *CONSENTED - as received. 5. COMMUNICATION - Lease Agreement with Lee Farm, LLC for disaster related Debris Management - Office of Emergency Management A motion was made by Councilman Tomchik, seconded by Councilman Salvatore, to accept the communication and authorize Roberto L. Alves, as Mayor of the City of Danbury and/or Matthew Casavecchia, as his representative, to execute the lease agreement to provide for debris management operations as a critical component of the City’s all hazard incident management preparedness strategy (subject to a positive recommendation by the Planning Commission). The motion carried unanimously. Mr. Pinter clarified that the item needed a report from the Planning Commission. Mayor Alves clarified the motion. Councilman Rotello asked for clarification on the condition of the Planning Report. Mr. Pinter stated that the item will only come back to City Council for approval if the Planning Department issues a negative recommendation. 6. COMMUNICATION - Donation for Maintenance Building Improvements - Airport A motion was made by Councilman Giordano, seconded by Councilman E. Buzaid, to receive the communication and accept the donation of $2,000 from Sheraton Productions or one of it's affiliates, and send a note of thanks, and authorize Mayor Roberto L. Alves to execute the parking location agreement. The motion carried unanimously. Mr. Safranek (Airport Administrator) clarified the improvement needs for Councilman Fox; and discussed the production with Councilman Rotello. 7. RESOLUTION - CT DPH & CDC Immunization and Vaccines for Children - Additional Funding from COVID-19 Supplement Grant - Health & Human Services *CONSENTED - as received. 8. RESOLUTION - Federal Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Grant - Planning & Zoning Dept. A motion was made by Councilman Britton, seconded by Councilman Palma, to receive the communication and adopt the resolution to authorize Roberto L. Alves, Mayor of the City of Danbury, and/or Jennifer Emminger, acting Planning Director, to apply for funding in an amount ranging from $100,000 to $15,000,000.00; there is no local match required, and accept said funding, and to execute all applications and contracts to effectuate the purposes thereof. The motion carried unanimously. Ms. Emminger clarified the purpose of the grant with Councilman Chianese. Councilman Rotello asked about the probability of receiving the funds; Ms. Emminger noted that it is a strong application. 9. RESOLUTION - ARPA Reallocation of Funds *CONSENTED - as received. 10. RESOLUTION - CT DECD Community Investment Fund Main Motion: A motion was made by Councilwoman LaPine, seconded by Councilman Palma, to receive the communication, and adopt the resolution, directing Roberto L. Alves, Mayor of the City of Danbury, to execute and file such application with the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development to provide such additional information to execute such other documents as may be required, to execute an assistance agreement with the State of Connecticut for state financial assistance if such an agreement is offered; to execute amendment decision and revisions thereto, and to act as the authorized representative of the City of Danbury for purposes of this application process for state financial assistance in an anticipated amount of $7,250,000, with no match required. The motion was superseded by a call for an ad hoc. Councilman Coelho asked to send the item to an Ad Hoc. Request was rescinded. The Mayor appointed Councilman Salvatore in the Chair, along with Councilwoman Gartner and Councilman Palma. Mayor Alves suggested splitting the items due to the application deadline. Councilman Coelho agreed and rescinded his ad hoc request. Substitute Motion 1: A motion was made by Councilman Salvatore, seconded by Councilwoman Gartner, to receive the communication and adopt the resolution directing Roberto L. Alves Mayor of the City of Danbury to execute and file such application with CT DECD for the grant for $250,000, on behalf of the City and the Cultural Alliance of western Connecticut, in order to undertake the planning of an arts center located in downtown special services district, City of Danbury. The motion carried unanimously. Councilman Chianese spoke in support of the grant request. Substitute Motion 2: A motion was made by Councilman Salvatore, seconded by Councilwoman Gartner, to receive the communication adopt the resolution directing Roberto L. Alves, Mayor of the City of Danbury, to execute and file such application with the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, in the amount of $7 million for lithium-ion batteries in the schools. The motion carried unanimously. Councilman Chianese asked for the deadline date. Ms. Capodilupo (Office of the Mayor) noted the deadline is June 21, 2024. Furthermore, she discussed the grant application and acceptance of funds request with Councilman Tomchik. Councilman Rotello spoke on the tight timeline and available options. Councilwoman Robinson asked, if the grant is awarded, would the item come back to Council for acceptance of the funds? Mr. Pinter confirmed that the motion before Council only allows the City to apply for only the grant. Furthermore, if awarded, the acceptance of the funds will come back to Council, and can then be sent to an ad hoc for further discussion. Councilman Chianese discussed proposed changes to the grant application process. Councilman Rotello clarified the options; approve the grant application now, and then if funds are awarded, the matter of acceptance will be presented back to the Council and at that point the matter can be sent to an ad hoc for additional discussion. Mr. Pinter confirmed. Councilman Duane Perkins asked that the motion on the floor be reread. 11. RESOLUTION - FAA Supplemental Funding Application - Electric Vehicles Grant - Airport *CONSENTED - as received. 12. REPORTS - Engineering & Planning: Application for Sewer Main Ext. - 5 Forest Ave. A motion was made by Councilwoman Robinson, seconded by Councilman Chianese, to receive the communication from the City Engineer and Planning Commission, and approve the application for the sanitary sewer main extension to serve 5 Forest Avenue, subject to the City’s standard eight steps conditions. The motion carried unanimously. 13. REPORT - Ad Hoc: Amendment to Ordinance Sec. 14-104 (Beckerle & Hose Co. Merger) A motion was made by Councilman P. Buzaid, seconded by Councilman Duane Perkins, to waive the reading of the Ad Hoc Committee report and minutes, as all Members have copies, and copies are on file in the Legislative Assistant's Office. The motion carried unanimously. A motion was made by Councilman Hawley, to receive the communication and refer this to a Public Hearing. So ordered. 14. REPORT - Ad Hoc: Disposition of City Property (17 North St) A motion was made by Councilman P. Buzaid, seconded by Councilman Rotello, to waive the reading of the Ad Hoc Committee report, as all Members have copies, and copies are on file for review in the Office of the Legislative Assistant; and I also move that we make a change to the Ad Hoc report, as there’s a scrivener’s error in it; the report lists the square footage of the firehouse as 26,000 square feet, when in fact it is 2,600 square feet. The motion carried unanimously. A motion was made by Councilman Rickert, to receive the communication and refer this to a Public Hearing. So ordered. 15. DEPARTMENT REPORTS - Police, Fire, Health & Human Services, Public Works, Permit Center, U.N.I.T., Elderly Services, Public Library, Tax Assessor A motion was made by Councilman P. Buzaid, seconded by Councilman Duane Perkins, to waive the reading of the reports, as all Members have copies, and copies are on file in the Legislative Assistant's Office, as well as we accept the reports as they are presented. The motion carried unanimously. Mr. Ridenhour spoke on the department's efforts to keep the community safe with Councilman Rotello. Councilman Coelho recognized two Danbury High School students for helping the Council to tour the school. Councilwoman Gartner recognized the Police Cadets for their support and help at multiple community events. Mr. Gentile (IT Director) clarified the status of an RFP for A/V equipment with Councilman Chianese. He noted that the RFP will be posted soon and a committee will review the submissions. Mr. Iadarola (Public Works Director & City Engineer) updated Councilmen Chianese, Rotello and Coelho on the status of the Danbury Career Academy; and spoke with Councilman Rickert regrading the Richter House project. Mayor Extended All Committees Mayor Alves announced the resignation of Councilman Shaun Ratchford due to his acceptance of a new position as Director of Parks & Recreation. Councilman Ratchford said a few words of appreciation. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Councilwoman Robinson, seconded by Councilman Salvatore, to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m. Copies of Agenda Items are available in the Legislative Assistant s Office and on the City's website. Respectfully submitted, Christina Martinez Recording Secretary Attest, Elisa Etcheto, Legislative Assistant