City Council

PUBLIC HEARING Library Leases & Ord. Sec. 2-259: Government Entities Review Monday, March 31, 2025 Call To Order: Council President P. Buzaid called the Public Hearing to order at 6:05 p.m. Pledge of Allegiance: Councilman McAllister led the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll Call: COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Hawley, Rickert, Gartner, Salvatore, Peter Buzaid, Emile Buzaid, Coelho, LaPine, Wallace-Smith, Fox, Robinson, McAllister, Duane Perkins, Chianese, Rotello, Giordano, and Tomchik. COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Simone, Dennis Perkins, Palma, and Britton. PRESENT: 17, ABSENT: 4 ALSO PRESENT: Dan Casagrande, Corporation Counsel; Taylor O’Brien, Chief of Staff, Mayor’s Office; Jennifer Emminger, Assistant Planning Director; and Elisa Etcheto, Legislative Assistant. Legal Notice: Council President P. Buzaid read the legal notice; and opened public speaking regarding Item 1: Library Leases - Danbury Hackerspace & New American Dream Center: Susan Giglio, Executive Director, Family’s Network, spoke in support of the lease agreement for the New American Dream Center (NADC). Councilman Dennis Perkins arrived at 6:11 pm. Elke Colon-Sweeney, 120 Osborne Street, Resident, spoke in support of the lease agreement for the NADC. Lynn Taborsak, 110 Hayestown Road, Resident, spoke in support of the lease agreement for the NADC and recognized the organizations community support efforts. Debbie Lansberg, 16 E Cross Trail, Resident, spoke in support of the lease agreement for the NADC and recognized the organizations community support efforts. Katie Curran, CEO, CIFC, spoke in support of the lease agreement for the NADC and recognized the organizations community support efforts. Isabel Almeida, CEO, United Way, spoke in support of the lease agreement for the NADC. Tara Carvalho, 30 Flintlock Drive, Resident & Community Relations, Danbury Library, spoke in support of the lease agreement for the NADC and recognized the public’s need for services. Julia Denon, Non-Resident, spoke in support of the lease agreement for the NADC. Alexis Isaacs, Non-Resident, spoke in support of the lease agreement for the NADC. Councilman Simone arrived at 6:32 pm and sat in the audience. Katie Pearson, Director of Danbury Public Library, spoke in support of the lease agreement for the NADC and recognized the organizations community support efforts. Mike Kaltshnee, 66 Judith Drive & Director, Danbury Hackerspace, spoke in support of the lease agreement for the NADC and recognized the organizations community support partnerships (Hackerspace). Council President P. Buzaid closed public speaking for Item 1. Council President P. Buzaid opened public speaking regarding Item 2: Ordinance Sec. 2-259 Government Entities Review: No public comments. ADJOURNMENT: A motion was made by Councilman Rotello, seconded by Councilman Chianese, to close the Public Hearing and adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 6:38 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Christina Dior Recording Secretary Attest, Elisa Etcheto, Legislative Assistant  Committee Of The Whole Library Leases & Ord. Sec. 2-259: Government Entities Review Monday, March 31, 2025 Call To Order: Council President P. Buzaid called the Committee of the Whole meeting to order at 6:39 p.m. Roll Call: COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Hawley, Rickert, Simone (present but not on dais), Gartner, Salvatore, Peter Buzaid, Emile Buzaid, Coelho, LaPine, Wallace-Smith, Fox, Robinson, McAllister, Duane Perkins, Chianese, Rotello, Giordano, and Tomchik. COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Dennis Perkins, Palma, and Britton. PRESENT: 18, ABSENT: 3 ALSO PRESENT: Dan Casagrande, Corporation Counsel; Taylor O’Brien, Chief of Staff, Mayor’s Office; Jennifer Emminger, Assistant Planning Director; and Elisa Etcheto, Legislative Assistant. Legal Notice: Council President P. Buzaid read the legal notice, and Opened Item 1-A for discussion. 1-A. Library Lease - Danbury Hackerspace: A motion was made by Councilwoman LaPine, seconded by Councilman Salvatore, to accept the Ad Hoc recommendation that the City Council approve the lease for the Danbury Hackerspace as presented. Motion carried unanimously. Councilman Rotello spoke in support of the lease agreement for the Danbury Hackerspace. Furthermore, he requested the City modify future lease agreements to have the tenant cover utility expenses. Ms. O’Brien confirmed for Councilman E. Buzaid that no other entities have expressed interest in the space, and clarified annual costs and new lease costs including new cleaning fees. Councilman Coelho requested estimated utility costs. Council President P. Buzaid read the legal notice and opened Item 1-B. 1-B. Library Lease - New American Dream Center: A motion was made by Councilwoman Gartner, seconded by Councilwoman Robinson, to accept the ad hoc recommendation that the City Council approve the lease for the New American Dream Center as presented. The motion carried unanimously. Yes - 17, No – 1 (Coelho). Councilman Chianese asked for clarification regarding leased spaces and business operations; Ms. O’Brien confirmed the spaces and that they will follow library hours. She confirmed for Councilman Coelho that the New American Dream Center (NADC) was the organization has requested to lease the location. She confirmed there is currently a vacant café location in the library that is already designated for library use. Furthermore, she confirmed for Councilman Dune Perkins that signage will be evaluated by the Permit Center before installation. Councilman Rotello asked about potential parking concerns, Ms. O’Brien confirmed that each entity has one designated space. Councilman Coelho asked about federal regulations and any potential funding impacts. Mr. Casagrande spoke on the legislative body’s right to determine if use is a proper public purpose; he confirmed that a lease to an entity does not mean that a position is being taken by the City. Ms. O’Brien confirmed for Councilwoman Gartner that the library as a public building complies with all laws. Council President P. Buzaid read the legal notice and opened Item 2 for discussion. 2. Ordinance Sec. 2-259 Government Entities Review: A motion was made by Councilman Rotello, seconded by Councilman Chianese, to recommend that the City Council adopts the recommendations of the ad hoc to renew Ord. Sec 2-259 for the following agencies at the specified amount of time; the Commission for Persons with Disabilities for five years; the Danbury Aquifer Protection Agency for five years; the Fair Rent Commission for five years; the Board of Ethics for five years; the Design Review Board for two years; the Danbury Housing Partnership recommendation to take no action. Motion carried unanimously. Council President P. Buzaid confirmed the Danbury Housing Partnership will be sunset by taking no action with Councilman Chianese; Councilman Rotello clarified the sunset process for entities, noting the sunset takes one year. Ms. O’Brien confirmed the Design Review Board will be extended, as the idea needs to be further evaluated by the new Planning Director. Councilman Rotello noted that sunsetted Commissions/Boards can be reestablished by City Council if ever deemed necessary. Furthermore, he spoke on the planning department’s work with design review and it’s importance. ADJOURNMENT: A motion was made by Councilman Rotello, and was seconded by Councilman McAllister, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 7:04 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Christina Dior Recording Secretary Attest, Elisa Etcheto, Legislative Assistant