City Council

CITY COUNCIL MEETING NOVEMBER 7, 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, Coelho, Wallace-Smith, Dennis Perkins, Britton, McAllister, Duane Perkins, Palma, Chianese, Rotello, Giordano, Tomchik. COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Fox and Robinson. PRESENT: 19, ABSENT: 2 ALSO PRESENT: Dan Casagrande, Corporation Counsel; Robin Edwards, Assistant Corporation Counsel; and Elisa Etcheto, Legislative Assistant. PUBLIC INPUT Al Russo, 220 Franklin St. Ext. – Spoke regarding Item #14 MINUTES - Minutes of the Council Meeting held October 1, 2024 A motion was made by Councilman P. Buzaid, and was seconded by Councilman Duane Perkins, to receive the minutes from the October 1st regular 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 7. RESOLUTION - CT DOT DUI Enforcement Program Grant - Police Department I move to receive the communication and ratify the action taken and renew the authority for Mayor Roberto L. Alves, and/or Patrick Ridenhour, Chief of Police, to apply for and accept said funding of up to $50,000 and to execute all applications and contracts to effectuate purposes thereof. 8. RESOLUTION - Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program - Finance I move to receive the communication and ratify the action taken and renew the authority for Mayor Roberto L. Alves, and/or Daniel Garrick, Director of Finance, to apply for and accept said funding of $141,240 with no city match and to execute all applications and contracts to effectuate purposes thereof. 9. RESOLUTION - CT DPH ARPA Coronavirus Funds - Health & Human Services I move to receive the communication and authorize Mayor Roberto L. Alves, or Fernanda Carvalho, Director of Health, and Human Services, as his designee, to apply for and accept funding of up to $10,000 with no city match and to execute all contracts and agreements necessary to effectuate purposes thereof. 10. RESOLUTION - LOTCIP Grant - Planning Department I move to receive the communication and authorize the City of Danbury to submit a grant proposal and application in connection with the “Downtown Danbury Transit-Oriented Development Streetscape Renaissance Project to Western CT Council of Governments under the Local Transportation Capital Improvement Program and, Roberto L. Alves be and hereby is authorized to sign the grant application and any other documents associated with administering the grant, if awarded including but not limited to, the final grant agreement and any amendments thereto; and In administering the grant, if awarded the City of Danbury hereby agrees to comply with the terms and conditions in the final grant agreement, as executed. 11. RESOLUTION - YALSA Great Book Giveaway Competition - Library I move to receive the communication and authorize Mayor Roberto L. Alves, or Katie Pearson, Library Director, as his designee, is hereby authorized to apply to the book giveaway competition and if chosen to receive the books other materials and to sign any documents necessary to effectuate the purposes of said book competition application and execute on behalf of the City of Danbury all applications, documents, agreements or amendments and to take all actions necessary to accomplish the purposes thereof. 12. REPORTS - Engineering & Planning - Sewer Ext. Easement - 2 DePalma Rd I move to authorize Mayor Roberto L. Alves, acting on behalf of the City of Danbury, to execute and deliver a quit-claim deed to the owners of 20 DePalma Lane in substantially the same form and substance as the deed attached hereto. A motion was made by Councilwoman Gartner, and was seconded by Councilman Duane Perkins, to accept the Consent Calendar as presented. The motion carried unanimously. AGENDA 1. COMMUNICATION - Appointment of Certified Police Officer - Goddard A motion was made by Councilman Tomchik, seconded by Councilman Duane Perkins, to receive the communication and approve the appointment of Roshel Goddard as a Certified Police Officer within the Danbury Police Department. The motion carried unanimously. 2. COMMUNICATION - Appointment to Danbury Housing Authority - Santosh A motion was made by Councilman Giordano, seconded by Councilman Chianese, to receive the communication and approve the appointment of Mini Santosh to the Housing Authority of the City of Danbury for a term that will expire on November 7, 2027. The motion carried unanimously. 3. COMMUNICATION - Appointment to Civil Service Commission - Phelan A motion was made by Councilman Britton, seconded by Councilman Palma, to receive the communication and approve the appointment of Larry Phelan to the Civil Service Commission of the City of Danbury for a term that will expire on November 7, 2026. The motion carried unanimously. 4. COMMUNICATION - Appointment to Tarrywile Park Authority A motion was made by Councilman McAllister, seconded by Councilman Chianese, to receive the communication and approve the appointment of Susan Nolan to the Tarrywile Park Authority for a term that will expire on November 7, 2027. The motion carried unanimously. Councilman Duane Perkins spoke in support of the appointment. 5. COMMUNICATION - Taylor Farm Properties - Release of 68 Great Plain Road A motion was made by Councilwoman Wallace-Smith, to receive the communication and refer this item to an Ad Hoc Committee. So ordered. The Mayor appointed Councilman Salvatore in the chair, along with Councilwoman LaPine and Councilman Palma. 6. COMMUNICATION - Amendment to Ordinance Sec. 6-21: Building Permit Fees A motion was made by Councilwoman LaPine, to receive the communication and refer this item to an Ad Hoc Committee. So ordered. The Mayor appointed Councilman P. Buzaid in the chair, along with Councilwoman Wallace-Smith and Councilman Fox. 7. RESOLUTION - CT DOT DUI Enforcement Program Grant - Police Department *CONSENTED - as received. 8. RESOLUTION - Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program - Finance *CONSENTED - as received. 9. RESOLUTION - CT DPH ARPA Coronavirus Funds - Health & Human Services *CONSENTED - as received. 10. RESOLUTION - LOTCIP Grant - Planning Department *CONSENTED - as received. 11. RESOLUTION - YALSA Great Book Giveaway Competition - Library *CONSENTED - as received. 12. REPORTS - Engineering & Planning - Sewer Ext. Easement - 2 DePalma Rd *CONSENTED - as received. 13. REPORTS - Public Hearing, C.O.W., Engineering, Planning & Tax Assessor: State Acquisition of City Parcel - Route 53 at Triangle St. & Coalpit Hill Rd. A motion was made by Councilman P. Buzaid, seconded by Councilman Chianese, to waive the reading of the Public Hearing and Committee Of The Whole minutes, as all Members have copies, and copies are on file in the Legislative Assistant's Office, as well as accept the report as presented. The motion carried unanimously. A motion was made by Councilman Salvatore, seconded by Councilman Chianese, to receive the report from the Ad Hoc Committee and authorize Mayor Roberto L. Alves, to transfer the parcel described in schedule A to the State of Connecticut, in connection with the proposal of future section improvements on Route 53 and Triangle Street & Coalpit Hill Road and accept on behalf of the City the compensation for this acquisition in the amount of $15,000, furthermore, in accordance with the amended resolution, Mayor Alves is authorize to execute and deliver to the State of Connecticut the proposed acceptance agreement in connection there with, together with any additional documentation that may be required and to take any additional action that may be necessary to accomplish the purposes thereof. The motion carried unanimously. 14. REPORT - Ad Hoc: Happy Trails Acquisition A motion was made by Councilman P. Buzaid, seconded by Councilman Duane Perkins, to waive the reading of the Ad Hoc minutes, 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 Duane Perkins, seconded by Councilman Rotello, to receive the report from the Ad Hoc Committee and approve the recommendation that the City purchase the property and approved a two-year lease of the property back to the seller in accordance with the terms of the Purchase and Sale Agreement and Lease Agreement attached; subject to change by Corporation Counsel as deemed needed, and to authorize the Mayor to execute such agreements and other documents as necessary to complete the transaction. The motion carried unanimously. Councilman Rotello discussed the need to preserve our open space and return this land to the city’s park and trails; and thanked the family for accepting the City’s offer. Councilman Chianese noted his support for the acquisition. Councilman Coelho thanked the family. Councilman Peter Buzaid noted the importance of the property’s location and its significance in preserving open space. Councilman Duane Perkins explained the history behind the City’s efforts to preserve open space and opportunities for education. Mayor Alves thanked the family. 15. REPORT - Ad Hoc: Purchase of Taylor Farm Properties A motion was made by Councilman P. Buzaid, seconded by Councilwoman Gartner, 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 accept the reports as presented. The motion carried unanimously. A motion was made by Councilman Hawley, seconded by Councilwoman Gartner, to accept the report and recommendation of the Ad Hoc and take no action due to the sellers withdrawing their offer. The motion carried unanimously. 16. DEPARTMENT REPORT - 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 Councilwoman Gartner, 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 report as presented. The motion carried unanimously. Mr. Stillman (UNIT Coordinator) provided a brief history and update on the property located at 22 Gregory St. and 15 Cedar Crest Dr.; and discussed the process for addressing blight issues and collecting violation fees. Mr. Day (Public Utilities Superintendent) provided a brief update on the reservoir water levels and drought conditions. Mr. Sturdevant (Deputy Police Chief) addressed Councilman Simone’s concerns with pedestrian safety at Rogers Park, and discussed new motorcycles and patrols with Councilman Chianese. ADD-ON (RESOLUTION) - Baker & Taylor/YASLA Collection Development Grant – Item 17. Library A motion was made by Councilman Salvatore, seconded by Councilman Chianese, to add on Item 17, a resolution Baker & Taylor / Yasha Collection Development Grant for the library. The motion carried unanimously A motion was made by Councilman Rickert, seconded by Councilman Salvatore, to receive the communication and authorize Roberto L. Alves, Mayor of the City of Danbury, or Katie Pearson, Library Director as his designee, to apply for the Baker and Taylor Collection Development Grant, and if chosen to receive such grant to sign any and all applications, agreements, and/or documents, necessary to accomplish and effectuate purposes thereof. The motion carried unanimously. COMMITTEES Mayor Extended All Committees ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Councilman Rotello, seconded by Councilman Emile Buzaid, to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:33 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