City Council

CITY COUNCIL MEETING AUGUST 6, 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. William McAllister led all in prayer. ROLL CALL: COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Hawley, Rickert, Simone, Gartner, Salvatore, Peter Buzaid, Emile Buzaid, LaPine, Wallace-Smith, Dennis Perkins, Fox, Robinson, Britton, McAllister, Duane Perkins, Chianese, Rotello, Giordano, and Tomchik. COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Coelho and Palma. PRESENT: 19, ABSENT: 2 ALSO PRESENT: Dan Casagrande, Corporation Counsel; Robin Edwards, Assistant Corporation Counsel; Rick Gottschalk, Outside Counsel; and Elisa Etcheto, Legislative Assistant. PUBLIC INPUT Jim Maloney, Resident, 15 Wooster Heights, spoke on item #6. MINUTES - Minutes of the Council Meeting held July 2, 2024 A motion was made by Councilman P. Buzaid, and was seconded by Councilman Salvatore, to receive the minutes from the July 2nd 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 we approve them as presented. The motion carried unanimously. CONSENT CALENDAR 14. RESOLUTION - Federal Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Grant - Update - Planning & Zoning Dept. I move to receive the communication and renew the authorization for Mayor Roberto L. Alves, and/or Jennifer Emminger, Deputy Director of Planning & Zoning to apply for and accept said funding and to execute all applications and contracts to effectuate purposes thereof. Need a Second. 15. REPORT - Ad Hoc: Lease Agreement with The Summit for EMS & Police Substations I move to waive the reading of the ad hoc report as all members have copies and copies are on file with the Legislative Assistant’s Office and receive the positive report from planning commission and approve the lease agreement between SCL Office, LLC, and the City of Danbury; and authorize Mayor Roberto L. Alves to sign such a lease as presented. 16. REPORT - Ad Hoc: Lease Agreement with The Summit for Commodities Staging & Mass Distribution I move to waive the reading of the ad hoc report as all members have copies and copies are on file with the Legislative Assistant’s Office and receive the positive report from planning commission and approve the lease agreement between SCL Office, LLC, and the City of Danbury; and authorize Mayor Roberto L. Alves to sign such a lease as presented. 17. REPORT - Audit Committee I move to waive the reading of the ad hoc report as all members have copies and copies are on file with the Legislative Assistant’s Office and accept the report and the audit financial statements for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022, including all management letters and adjustments as is indicated. A motion was made by Councilwoman Gartner, and was seconded by Councilman Dune Perkins, to accept the Consent Calendar as presented. The motion carried unanimously. AGENDA 1. COMMUNICATION - Appointment of Officer Daniel to Police Sergeant A motion was made by Councilman Rickert, seconded by Councilman Duane Perkins, to receive the communication and approve the promotion and appointment of David Daniel to the position of Police Sergeant within the Danbury Police Department. The motion carried unanimously. 2. COMMUNICATION - Bond Issuance: An Ordinance Appropriating $3,000,000 for Public Improvements in the 2024-2025 Capital Budget A motion was made by Councilman Hawley, to receive the communication and refer it to a public hearing followed by a Committee of The Whole. So ordered. 3. COMMUNICATION - Bond Issuance: Public Safety and Infrastructure $49M A motion was made by Councilman Salvatore, to receive the communication and refer it to a public hearing followed by a Committee of The Whole. So ordered. 4. COMMUNICATION - Statement of Condition & Property - Fire Department A motion was made by Councilman P. Buzaid, seconded by Councilman Salvatore to take the item off the table. So ordered. A motion was made by Councilman Simone, seconded by Councilman Salvatore, to receive the communication from the Chief of the Danbury Fire Department, regarding the listings of property and general statement of conditions and affairs of the department, in accordance with Section 14-46c of the Code of Ordinances. The motion carried unanimously. 5. COMMUNICATION - Use of Space - Airport A motion was made by Councilwoman LaPine, seconded by Councilman Salvatore, to receive the communication and authorize Mayor Roberto L. Alves and or Michael Safranek, Airport Administrator, to enter into an agreement with Jonathan Black, Choice Films Company, or one of its yet unnamed affiliates, for the purpose of the use of space at the airport. The motion carried unanimously. Mr. Garrick (Director of Finance) and Mr. Safranek clarified for Councilman Chianese the liability requirements for the use of parking space at the airport. Mr. Safranek further clarified that parking will take place away from any structures. 6. COMMUNICATION - Conveyance of Sidewalk Easement to City - 29 Park Avenue (CCFDC) A motion was made by Councilwoman Wallace-Smith, to receive the communication and refer this to the City Engineer and Planning Commission for reports back to the City Council. So ordered. 7. COMMUNICATION - Conveyance of Sidewalk and Roadway to the City - 12 Great Pasture Road A motion was made by Councilwoman Robinson, to receive the communication and refer this to the City Engineer and Planning Commission to report back to the Council. So ordered. 8. COMMUNICATION - Application for Water Main Ext. - 119 Franklin Street Ext. A motion was made by Councilman Dennis Perkins, to receive the communication and refer this to the City Engineer and Planning Commission for reports back to the Council. So ordered. 9. ORDINANCE - Ordinance: Massage Therapy Establishments A motion was made by Councilman P. Buzaid, seconded by Councilman Rotello, to waive the reading of the minutes of the public hearing, as all Members have copies, and copies are on file in the Legislative Assistant's Office, as well as accept the report as they are presented. The motion carried unanimously. A motion was made by Councilman Britton, seconded by Councilwoman Gartner, to receive the communication and based on the Ad Hoc report from January 22, 2024, recommend adoption of the Message Therapy Establishments Ordinance, including all amendments. The motion carried unanimously. Councilman Emile Buzaid asked about enforcement of the ordinance; Detective Williams explained how the Message Therapy Establishments Ordinance came to be and emphasized its importance for combatting sex trafficking. Councilman E. Buzaid followed up with a question to Mr. Casagrande regarding future amendments; Mr. Casagrande confirmed. Councilman Salvatore identified a scriveners error. 10. ORDINANCE - Ordinance: Body Care Facilities A motion was made by Councilman P. Buzaid, seconded by Councilman Rotello, to waive the reading of the minutes from the public hearing, as all Members have copies, and copies are on file in the Legislative Assistant's Office, as well as accept the reports as presented. The motion carried unanimously. A motion was made by Councilman McAllister, seconded by Councilman Salvatore, to receive the communication and based on the Ad Hoc report from January 22, 2024, recommend adoption of the Body Care Facilities Ordinance, including all amendments. The motion carried unanimously. 11. ORDINANCE - Ordinance: Body Piercing & Tattoo Establishments A motion was made by Councilman P. Buzaid, seconded by Councilman Salvatore, to waive the reading of the minutes of the public hearing, as all Members have copies, and copies are on file in the Legislative Assistant's Office, I also move we accept the reports as presented. The motion carried unanimously. A motion was made by Councilman Tomchik, seconded by Councilwoman Gartner, to receive the communication and based on the Ad Hoc report from January 22, 2024, I recommend adoption of the Body Piercing & Tattoo Establishments Ordinance. The motion carried unanimously. Councilman Perkins asked about grandfathering existing establishments; Mr. Casagrande explained that an ordinance applies to all existing establishments and there is no grandfather clause. Ms. Carvalho (Health Director) spoke with Councilmen Duane Perkins and Rotello on the purpose of the requirements in the ordinance and discussed the inspection process. She explained that each inspection will be reviewed on a case by case basis. She confirmed that all existing establishments should be able to comply with the handwashing requirement. Councilwoman Gartner thanked everyone involved with the process. 12. RESOLUTION - State ARPA Funding ($12M) - Finance A motion was made by Councilman Giordano, seconded by Councilman Rotello, to receive the communication and authorize Roberto L. Alves Mayor, or his designee, to execute all documents and agreements necessary, including authorization and certification forms, to effectuate said purposes, and further to take all actions necessary to effectuate the intent of this resolution. The motion carried unanimously. 13. RESOLUTION - ARPA Re-Allocation - Finance A motion was made by Councilman Rickert, seconded by Councilwoman LaPine, to receive the communication and authorize Roberto L. Alves Mayor, or his designee, to take all actions necessary to effectuate the intent of exhibit 1-A-L and this resolution. The motion carried unanimously. 14. RESOLUTION - Federal Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Grant - Update - Planning & Zoning Dept. *CONSENTED - as received. 15. REPORT - Ad Hoc: Lease Agreement with The Summit for EMS & Police Substations *CONSENTED - as received. 16. REPORT - Ad Hoc: Lease Agreement with The Summit for Commodities Staging & Mass Distribution *CONSENTED - as received. 17. REPORT - Audit Committee *CONSENTED - as received. 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 accept the reports as presented. The motion carried unanimously. Councilman Chianese followed up on Item 10, he asked for clarification of the hours of operations requirements; Ms. Carvalho explained that amendments can be made in the future and that exceptions will be made for business in the mall. Councilman Rotello asked for an update on Covid. Ms. Fernanda confirmed an increase based on waste water surveillance with mild symptoms being reported. Councilman Duane Perkins thanked the Public Works Department for their hard work with paving. Councilman Hawley recognized Mr. Ratchford (Parks & Rec. Director) for improvements to the town park. Councilman Simone recognized Mr. Ratchford for the rescue preparations that took place at the park. Councilman Dennis Perkins recognized the Police Chief for the department’s work in the King Street area. Councilman Salvatore recognized the Fire Department for their work on recent events. Committees: Mayor Appointed: 2023 Audit Committee – Frank Salvatore, Chair; Andrea Gartner, Ben Chianese, Irving Fox, Elmer Palma Mayor Extended All Other Committees ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Councilman Rotello, seconded by Councilwoman Gartner, to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:26 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