City Council

CITY COUNCIL MEETING January 6, 2026 - 7 PM Honorable Mayor, Roberto Alves, called the meeting to order at 7p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE & PRAYER The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Sean Hatch. Council member Salvatore led all in prayer. ROLL CALL COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Hawley, Fay*, Gartner, Salvatore, Peter Buzaid, Henry, Coelho, LaPine, Wallace-Smith, Dennis Perkins, Spain-Reichl, Laughinghouse, Robinson, McAllister, Duane Perkins, Chianese, Rotello, Giordano, Jabbour COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Flanagan, Britton * Council Member Fay arrived at 7:11pm PRESENT: 19 ABSENT: 2 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 Ken Gucker, Resident, 89 Padanaram Rd., Spoke in favor of Items #2-5, 8, 10, 13, 14, 19. MINUTES Minutes of the Special City Council Meeting held December1, 2025, and Regular City Council Meeting held December 4, 2025. A motion was made by Council member Buzaid, and was seconded by Council member Duane Perkins, to receive the council minutes from the Special City Council Meeting held December 1and Regular City Council Meeting held December 4, waive the reading of these minutes, as all members have copies and copies are on file in the Legislative Assistants Office, and approve them as presented. Motion Carried Unanimously. CONSENT CALENDAR 11. COMMUNICATION - Donation to the Copsicle Ice Cream Truck - Police Department I move to receive the communication and accept on behalf of the Danbury Police Department a donation in the amount of $1000 for the DPD/CCU Ice Cream Truck with a note of thanks to Michael Scherer for the donation. 15. RESOLUTION - Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Management Plan Grant - Department of Recreation I move to accept the communication and authorize Mayor Roberto L. Alves, Mayor of the City of Danbury, or Kara Prunty, Assistant Director of Finance, as his designee, to apply for and accept $75,000 grant from the Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Management Plan Grant Program and to execute all contracts, agreements and other required documents and to take all necessary actions to effectuate the purposes of this grant application. 16. RESOLUTION - U.S. Soccer Foundation Fund - Department of Recreation I move to receive the communication and authorize Mayor Roberto L. Alves, Mayor of the City of Danbury, or Kara Prunty, Assistant Director of Finance, as his designee, to apply for and accept $300,000 grant from the U.S. Soccer Foundation Soccer Fund and to execute all contracts, agreements and other required documents and to take all necessary actions to effectuate the purposes of this grant application. 17. RESOLUTION – Services Agreement with Nuvance Health (Amendment) - Department of Health and Human Services I move to receive the communication and authorize Roberto L. Alves, Mayor of the City of Danbury, or Fernanda Carvalho, Director of Health and Human Services, as his designee, to execute the Third Amendment and any other documents necessary to effectuate the purposes thereof. 18. RESOLUTION - CT DOH Emergency Shelter Grant (COLA Adjustment) - Department of Health and Human Services I move to receive the communication and hereby amend the September 2023 resolution to reflect the actual awarded amount of $805,000.00 plus an additional COLA in the amount of $5,839.00 annually, as provided by the State of Connecticut Department of Housing Emergency Shelter Grant; and that Roberto L. Alves, Mayor of the City of Danbury, or Fernanda Carvalho, Director of Health and Human Services, as his designee, is hereby authorized to submit reimbursement requests, and accept said funds, and to execute all contracts and agreements necessary to effectuate the purposes thereof. 19. REPORTS - Engineering & Planning - Parcel Conveyance: 24 Hillandale Rd. I move to receive the communication and upon receiving a positive recommendation from the planning commission accept the conveyance of the parcel at 24 Hillandale Road subject to the legal documents being acceptable to the Corporation Counsel’s office. A motion was made by Council member Gartner, and was seconded by Council member Chianese, to accept the Consent Calendar as presented. Motion Carried Unanimously. AGENDA 1. COMMUNICATION - Appointment of Police Officers - Agostino, Gabrielli & Sunny A motion was made by Council member Hawley, seconded by Council member Duane Perkins, to receive the communication and approve the appointment of Justin Agostino, Giovanni Gabrielli and Benjamin Sunny as Certified Police Officers in the Danbury Police Department. Motion Carried Unanimously. 2. ORDINANCE & REPORT - Ordinance Sec. 46-3: All-terrain vehicles, utility terrain vehicles, dirt bikes and mini-motorcycles; operation prohibited on city property A motion was made by Council member Buzaid, seconded by Council member Rotello, to waive the reading of the public hearing minutes as all members have copies and copies are on file in the Legislative Assistant’s Office. Motion Carried Unanimously. A motion was made by Council member LaPine, seconded by Council member Chianese, to receive the communication and adopt ordinance Section 46-3 as amended and presented. Motion Carried Unanimously. 3. ORDINANCE & REPORT – Ordinance Sec. 46-6: Street Takeovers A motion was made by Council member Buzaid, seconded by Council member Rotello, to waive the reading of the public hearing minutes as all members have copies and copies are on file in the Legislative Assistant’s Office. Motion Carried Unanimously. A motion was made by Council member Wallace-Smith, seconded by Council member Chianese, to receive the communication and adopt the ordinance Section 46-6 Street Takeovers as presented. Motion Carried Unanimously. 4. ORDINANCE & REPORT - Ordinance Sec. 20-99: Definitions (Housing Inspector) A motion was made by Council member Buzaid, seconded by Council member Rotello, to waive the reading of the public hearing minutes as all members have copies and copies are on file in the Legislative Assistant’s Office. Motion Carried Unanimously. A motion was made by Council member Giordano, seconded by Council member Chianese, to receive the communication and approve the ordinance Section 20-99 as amended and presented. Motion Carried Unanimously. 5. ORDINANCE & REPORT – Ordinance Sec. 20-137: Penalties for violation of abatement order A motion was made by Council member Buzaid, seconded by Council member LaPine, to waive the reading of the public hearing minutes as all members have copies and copies are on file in the Legislative Assistant’s Office. Motion Carried Unanimously. A motion was made by Council member McAllister, seconded by Council member Chianese, to receive the communication and approve the ordinance Section 20-137 as amended and presented. Motion Carried. Yes – 18, No – 1 (Rotello) Council member Rotello spoke in favor of the overall purpose of the ordinance, however he identified concerns with the timeline of penalties and fines, and the burden of inspectors having the authority to implement those penalties on a case by case basis. Council member Duane Perkins asked if the concerns can be changed at this stage of the process; Mr. Casagrande confirmed it would be a substantial change that would have to go back to a public hearing. Council member Fay also expressed concerns with the time it can take to correct violations and penalties acquired during that time; Mr. Casagrande confirmed the ordinance follows state statutes.  Council member Hawley spoke on the need to address housing needs before enforcement. Council member Robinson discussed the need to keep specific language in order to implement enforcement. Council member Buzaid asked the Health Director if there are any cases where enforcement has been taken against someone who is actively try to rectify a violation; Ms. Carvalho confirmed there was not and noted that this ordinance is meant for those that no not try to rectify a violation. Council member Buzaid asked for a Roll Call Vote. 6. COMMUNICATION – Request for a School District Committee A motion was made by Council member Robinson, seconded by Council member Salvatore, to receive the communication and approve the request to establish this ad hoc committee consisting of leadership from the Danbury Public Schools and Danbury Board of Education, City of Danbury and Danbury Public Schools finance departments, the mayor’s office and any others as requested by the committee. So Ordered. The Mayor appointed to the ad hoc: Robinson, Chair; Britton, Coelho. 7. COMMUNICATION - Appointments to the Planning Commission - Novas, Finaldi, Nazario A motion was made by Council member Laughinghouse, seconded by Council member LaPine, receive the communication and confirm the appointment of Aaliyah Novas, Arnold E. Finaldi, Jr., and Sidney Nazario to the Planning Commission with a term expiration of 1/1/2029. Motion Carried Unanimously. 8. COMMUNICATION - Appointment to the Zoning Board of Appeals - Willemsen A motion was made by Council member Spain-Reichl, seconded by Council member Wallace-Smith, to receive the communication and confirm the appointment of Keagan G. Willemsen to the Zoning Board of Appeals with a term expiration of 1/1/2029. Motion Carried Unanimously. 9. COMMUNICATION - Appointment to Zoning Commission - Botelho A motion was made by Council member Laughinghouse , seconded by Council member Salvatore, to receive the communication and approve the appointment of Robert Botelho to the Zoning Commission. Motion Carried Unanimously. The Mayor administered the Oath of Office to Mr. Botelho. 10. COMMUNICATION - Appointment to the Richter Park Authority - Giordano A motion was made by Council member Jabbour, seconded by Council member Salvatore, to receive the communication and confirm the appointment of Lucian Giordano to the Stanley Lasker Richter Park Memorial Authority for a term to expire on 1/1/2029. Motion Carried Unanimously. Council member Fay asked what vacancy the appointment was filling; Mr. Santos (Community and Economic Advisor, Mayor’s Office) confirmed that member Judi Griemsmann was resigning, and that all members were up for renewal except for Mr. Eriquez. 11. COMMUNICATION - Donation to the Copsicle Ice Cream Truck - Police Department *CONSENTED - as received. 12. COMMUNICATION – Application for Sewer Extension (Time Extension) - 5 Forest Ave A motion was made by Council member Robinson, seconded by Council member Salvatore, to receive the communication and send this to the City Engineer and Planning Commission for reports back. So Ordered. 13. RESOLUTION & REPORTS - CT City and Town Development Act A motion was made by Council member Buzaid, seconded by Council member Salvatore, to waive the reading of the public hearing minutes as all members have copies and copies are on file in the Legislative Assistant’s Office. Motion Carried Unanimously. Main Motion: A motion was made by Council member Gartner, seconded by Council member Salvatore, receive the communication and adopt the resolution as presented. Motion Carried. Yes – 16, No – 3 (Coelho, Fay, Henry). Council member Fay discussed concerns she has with the Act including language, lack of conditions and regulations on those utilizing the Act, the burden the implementation will put on city departments, the tax exemption status and loss of taxes by those using the Act, and the lack of a referendum as is required by the City Charter. Mayor Alves noted that all projects will be presented to the Council for approval, that the projects would bring job opportunities, and that any blight is a concern for his administration. Council member Hawley thanked everyone involved with the ad hoc and spoke on the importance of focusing on the eight requirements needed to adopt the act. Council member Robinson spoke in favor of the Act and its success in other communities. Council member Henry asked Corporation Counsel if the Act will supersede the City Charter requirement for a bond referendum; Mr. Casagrande confirmed it would. Council member Buzaid spoke on the state statute preempting the City Charter, and noted that this type of bond would not affect taxpayers and therefore would not need a referendum. Council member Chianese expressed concerns with the age of the Act and the language it uses and asked that the State Legislature update the Act. Council member Gartner spoke in favor of the Act due to its positive economic development on the city with no risk to the city; she identified the bond market as a guardrail for bad projects; and pointed out the five-year life of the Act, at which time the city can reevaluate its participation. Council members Rotello and Fay asked about the tax exemptions; Mr. Casagrande and Ms. Cole (Bond Counsel) confirmed that the Act requires that the beneficiary/developer be a non-profit. Council member Robinson spoke on the benefits of using this Act for projects on restricted, undeveloped land. Council member Duane Perkins asked for clarification on the benefit of supporting projects under this Act; Mr. Santos (Community and Economic Development Advisor, Mayor’s Office) discussed other sources of tax revenue and the benefits of new jobs. Council member Salvatore identified the Act as a tool and expressed his support of the resolution. Council member Coelho explained his concerns with  the Act superseding the City Charter and not presenting the Act to the taxpayers for a vote in a referendum. Council member Laughinghouse reiterated the point that there is no financial risk to the City and therefore a referendum is not needed. A motion was made by Council member Gartner, seconded by Council member Wallace-Smith to call the question. Motion Failed. No – 12, Yes – 7 (Gartner, Wallace-Smith, Spain-Reichl, Giordano, Jabbour, McAllister, Laughinghouse). Council member Gartner asked for a Roll Call Vote. Council member Chianese asked for confirmation that the Act can be terminated after five years; Mr. Casagrande confirmed. Council member Rotello asked if anything could prevent the Council from sending the bond/project request to a referendum; Mr Casagrande confirmed the Council can send the bond request to a referendum. Council member Giordano supports the Act due to its rewards vs. risks. 14. RESOLUTION – Resolution Authorizing the Issuance and Sale of Revenue Bonds "Series 2026 Bonds" not to exceed $100 Million A motion was made by Council member Salvatore, seconded by Council member Gartner, to receive the communication and send this to an ad hoc consisting of representatives from corporation counsel, finance, bond counsel, mayor’s office and other departments as requested. So Ordered. The Mayor appointed to the ad hoc: Hawley, Chair; Giordano, Henry. 15. RESOLUTION - Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Management Plan Grant - Department of Recreation *CONSENTED - as received. 16. RESOLUTION – U.S. Soccer Foundation Fund - Department of Recreation *CONSENTED - as received. 17. RESOLUTION – Services Agreement with Nuvance Health (Amendment) - Department of Health and Human Services *CONSENTED - as received. 18. RESOLUTION – CT DOH Emergency Shelter Grant (COLA Adjustment) - Department of Health and Human Services *CONSENTED - as received. 19. REPORTS - Engineering & Planning - Parcel Conveyance: 24 Hillandale Rd. *CONSENTED - as received. 20. DEPARTMENT REPORTS – Police, Fire, Health & Human Services, Public Works, Permit Center, UNIT, Elderly Services, Public Library A motion was made by Council member P. Buzaid, seconded by Council member LaPine, 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. Motion Carried Unanimously. Council member Giordano thanked the Police Chief and Department for their enforcement of school bus violations. Council member Rotello thanked Mr. Safranek for handling the appeals for the school bus ticket violations. Council member Laughinghouse asked Mr. Day (Public Utilities Superintendent) about water levels; Mr. Day confirmed they are 8% below normal levels and hopes to catch up. Council member Jabbour noted police statistics in the department report that highlight a decrease of 200 traffic incidents in one year. COMMITTEES The Mayor Extended All Committees. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Council member Rotello, seconded by Council member Salvatore, to adjourn. Motion Carried Unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 9:05p.m. Copies of Agenda Items are available in the Legislative Assistant’s Office and on the City’s website. Respectfully submitted, Elisa Etcheto, Legislative Assistant