City Council

CITY COUNCIL MEETING JUNE 5, 2025 - 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. Councilman McAllister led all in prayer. ROLL CALL COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Gartner, Salvatore, Peter Buzaid, Emile Buzaid, Fox, Robinson, Britton, McAllister, Rickert, Duane Perkins, Rotello, Giordano, and LaPine. COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Hawley, Simone, Coelho*, Wallace-Smith, Dennis Perkins*, Palma, Chianese, and Tomchik. PRESENT: 13, ABSENT: 8 ALSO PRESENT: Dan Casagrande, Corporation Counsel; Robin Edwards, Deputy Corporation Counsel; Taylor O’Brien, Chief of Staff to the Mayor; and Elisa Etcheto, Legislative Assistant. PUBLIC INPUT Lynn Waller, Resident, 83 Highland Avenue, spoke in favor of item #9. Jim Maloney, Resident, 15 Wooster Heights, spoke on item #9. ATTENDANCE UPDATE *Councilman Dennis Perkins arrived at 7:33pm. Present 14, Absent 7 *Councilman Coelho arrived at 7:38pm. Present 15, Absent 6 MINUTES - Minutes of the Council Meeting held May 6, 2025 A motion was made by Councilman P. Buzaid, and was seconded by Councilman Duane Perkins, to receive the minutes from the May 6th Council meeting and waive a reading of those minutes, as all Members have copies and copies are on file in the Legislative Assistant's Office and approve those minutes as they are presented. The motion carried unanimously. CONSENT CALENDAR 3. COMMUNICATION - Donation of Safe Play Park to City I move to receive the communication and approve the acceptance of the Danbury Safe Play Park located on the grounds of the Danbury Police Athletic League Building. 4. COMMUNICATION - Annual Suspense List - Tax Collector I move to receive the communication and approve the transfer of $363,393.63 to the suspense list. 5. RESOLUTION - CT DOT Aggressive Driving Grant - Police I move to receive the communication and authorize Mayor Roberto L. Alves or Chief Patrick Ridenhour, his designee, to accept grant funds not to exceed $67,128 with the state covering 100% of the costs of the program and sign all contracts and other documents necessary to effectuate the purposes thereof. 6. RESOLUTION - CERT Application for Citizen Corps Program Funding - Emergency Management I move to receive the communication and authorize Mayor Roberto L. Alves, Mayor of the City of Danbury, or Matthew C. Cassavechia, Emergency Management Director, his designee, to apply for and accept the Citizen Corp Program Funding in an amount not to exceed $1,600 where there is no local match required, and to execute any and all required applications, contracts, agreements and/or documents, and to take all actions necessary to accomplish the purposes thereof. A motion was made by Councilwoman Gartner, and was seconded by Councilman Salvatore, to accept the Consent Calendar as presented. The motion carried unanimously. Mayor Alves provided a State legislature and municipal funding update. AGENDA 1. COMMUNICATION - Appointment of Assistant Corporation Counsel - Tracy L. Norris A motion was made by Councilman Giordano, seconded by Councilman Rotello, to receive the communication and approve the appointment of Attorney Tracy Norris to the position of Assistant Corporation Counsel. The motion carried unanimously. 2. ORDINANCE & REPORT - Public Hearing: Ordinance Sec. 8-2 - Voting Wards of city A motion was made by Councilman P. Buzaid, seconded by Councilman Salvatore, to waive a reading of Public Hearing 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 Britton, seconded by Councilman Salvatore, to receive the Public Hearing minutes and adopt the Ad Hoc recommendation that the Ordinance Section 8-2 be accepted as presented. Yes - 11, No - 4 (Coelho, Fox, Rotello, Duane Perkins). The motion carried. Councilman Fox provided an overview of the reapportionment process and expressed concerns with the partisan process. Councilman Duane Perkins also discussed concerns with the process. Councilman Rotello expressed frustration with the process and plan and urged the Council to restart the process before the next ten-year requirement to address issues and the population boom on the City’s westside. Councilmen Britton and Emile Buzaid discussed time constraints to codify the plan and the legal impact it could have on the city if it is not approved now. Councilmen Salvatore and P. Buzaid explained that the plan was approved by a previous council and despite concerns with the process they understand that the vote now if simply to confirm that the wording in the Ordinance matches the map approved by the Registrar of Voters. 3. COMMUNICATION - Donation of Safe Play Park to City *CONSENTED - as received. 4. COMMUNICATION - Annual Suspense List - Tax Collector *CONSENTED - as received. 5. RESOLUTION - CT DOT Aggressive Driving Grant - Police *CONSENTED - as received. 6. RESOLUTION - CERT Application for Citizen Corps Program Funding - Emergency Management *CONSENTED - as received. 7. RESOLUTION & REPORT - Public Hearing & COW: Neighborhood Assistance Act (NAA) A motion was made by Councilman P. Buzaid, seconded by Councilwoman Gartner, to waive a reading of Public Hearing and Committee of The Whole 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 Councilwoman LaPine, seconded by Councilwoman Gartner, to receive the Public Hearing and Committee of The Whole minutes and adopt the resolution approving the list of organizations who will apply to participate in the 2025 Neighborhood Assistance Act Program, and authorize Roberto Alves, Mayor of the City of Danbury, to take such actions as may be necessary for the accomplishment of purposes hereof. Yes - 14, No - 0, Abstention - 1 (Salvatore). The motion carried. 8. RESOLUTION & REPORT - Ad Hoc: Review Process to Apply for Grant Funds A motion was made by Councilman P. Buzaid, seconded by Councilman Rotello, to waive a reading of the Ad Hoc 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 Councilwoman Gartner, seconded by Councilman Salvatore, to recommit this item back to an Ad Hoc. The motion carried unanimously. Councilman Rotello asked about recommittal requirements. The Mayor re-appointed Councilwoman Gartner in the Chair, along with Councilman Hawley and Councilman Fox. 9. REPORTS - Ad Hoc: Tax Deferral for 11 Boughton Street A motion was made by Councilman P. Buzaid, seconded by Councilwoman Gartner, to waive a reading of the Ad Hoc 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 Salvatore, seconded by Councilman Rotello, to receive the Ad Hoc minutes and adopt the Ad Hoc recommendation to approve the proposed assessment deferral agreement pursuant to Section 34-63, subject to the modifications and conditions referenced in the February 3, 2025 letter from the applicants counsel, including the conditions that eighty percent of the housing be low-income housing in order to be Section 8-33 compliant. Yes - 14, No - 1 (Rickert). The motion carried. Councilman E. Buzaid asked Mr. Maloney (project representative) about Danbury residents getting priority to apply and live in the new building; Mr. Maloney confirmed that Danbury residents will be able to apply for a waiting list as soon as applications are made available. Councilman Coelho asked for the project timeline; Mr. Maloney estimated the project would start in 2026 and be completed and filled in 2027. Councilman Rickert asked about ownership obligations if the building is sold and the guarantee of continued affordable housing into the future (the state’s housing requirements are for all owners); the taxes to be collected after the 7 years (the property is now a parking lot not bringing in any taxes, the taxes after the abatement will be $250,000 based on 2025 values); a Public Safety impact report (if Danbury residents are moving into the building there is no added impact); the amount of two bedroom apartments (18 to assist with special sleeping needs of couples or live-in aides). Mr. Casagrande clarified the abatement dates for Councilman Coelho. Councilman Rotello spoke on the need for senior housing; Councilwoman LaPine asked about parking (110 spaces); Councilman Fox asked about the cost of taxes after the abatement being passed on to residents (rent is capped per state regulations); and Councilman Rickert asked Ms. Tomanio (Elderly Services Director) how many senior housing facilities there are now (12). Councilman Duane Perkins asked for additional clarification; Councilman Britton expressed his support for the project; and Councilman Rickert clarified that he is not against senior, veteran, or low-income housing. 10. REPORT - Ad Hoc: City Acquisition of 233 White Street A motion was made by Councilman P. Buzaid, seconded by Councilman Duane Perkins, to waive a reading of the Ad Hoc 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 McAllister, seconded by Councilman Salvatore, to receive the Ad Hoc minutes and authorize the City through the Office of Corporation Counsel to acquire the property at 233 White Street, in accordance with procedures established by state law, either by negotiations or eminent domain, through the institution of suit against the interested property owners and holders of mortgages encumbering the property, if any, by November 1, 2025. The motion carried unanimously. 11. REPORT - Ad Hoc: New Ord. Article 5 to Chp 46: Municipal School Bus Violation Detection Monitoring System A motion was made by Councilman P. Buzaid, seconded by Councilman Salvatore, to waive a reading of the Ad Hoc 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 Councilwoman Gartner, seconded by Councilman Salvatore, to receive the Ad Hoc minutes and send this to a Public Hearing. Motion carried unanimously. So ordered. 12. REPORTS - Ad Hoc: Ord. Sec. 6-21: Building Permit Fees Schedule A motion was made by Councilman P. Buzaid, seconded by Councilman Salvatore, to waive a reading of the Ad Hoc 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 Rickert, seconded by Councilwoman Gartner, to receive the Ad Hoc minutes and send this to a Public Hearing. The motion carried unanimously. So ordered. 13. REPORT - Ad Hoc: Appointment of Independent Auditor A motion was made by Councilman P. Buzaid, seconded by Councilman Salvatore, to waive a reading of the Ad Hoc 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 Councilwoman Robinson, seconded by Councilman Salvatore, to receive the Ad Hoc minutes and approve the recommendation of the Committee to appoint RSM US LLP as the City's independent auditors and accounting firm for the year ending June 30, 2024. The motion carried unanimously. 14. 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 Salvatore, to waive a 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 they are presented. The motion carried unanimously. Councilman Rotello discussed the need for more quad enforcement by the Police Department; and asked about water levels (good). Councilmen Coelho and McAllister, and Councilwoman LaPine, recognized City staff for their public support efforts. Mr. Stillman (UNIT Director) provided a brief update on several properties for Councilman Giordano. Mr. Iadarola (City Engineer & Public Works Director) provided a brief update on City projects in the schools for Councilwoman Robinson. ADD ON Item 15: Re-Appropriation of Funds for AIS Magnet School Retaining Wall A motion was made by Councilman Salvatore, seconded by Councilman Rotello, to add to the agenda Item #15, Re-Appropriation of funds for AIS Magnet School retaining wall. The motion carried unanimously. A motion was made by Councilman Salvatore, seconded by Councilwoman Gartner, to approve the transfer into the Public Building’s maintenance & repair account from public safety employees benefit account, in the amount of $310,000.00. The motion carried unanimously. Councilman Rotello asked Corporation Counsel about the title of AIS school, Mr. Casagrande confirmed the school belongs to the City and therefore we are responsible for the repair. Mr. Iadarola spoke on the urgency of the retaining wall project for stating that the wall is being temporarily stabilized but will likely need to be replaced at a cost of about $4M-$5M. He confirmed legal and insurance actions have been reviewed and are not an option, however, they will continue looking for state funding assistance opportunities. He explained to Councilman Fox and Coelho that the interim work being done will decrease the weight load on the wall, move parking away from the area, and that the wall will continue to be monitored. He confirmed the wall is approximately 20 years old. Mayor Alves spoke on the City's efforts to locate funding for the project. COMMITTEES Mayor Extended All Committees ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Councilman Rotello, seconded by Councilwoman Gartner, to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 9:28 p.m. Copies of Agenda Items are available in the Legislative Assistant’s Office and on the City’s website. Respectfully submitted, Christina Dior Recording Secretary Attest, Elisa Etcheto, Legislative Assistant