City Council

CITY COUNCIL MEETING April 7, 2026 - 7 PM Honorable Mayor, Roberto Alves, called the meeting to order at 7:01p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE & PRAYER The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Boy Scouts Troop 33. Council member Salvatore led all in prayer. ROLL CALL COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Coelho, Hawley, Flanagan, LaPine, Salvatore, Buzaid, Gartner, Fay, Henry, Wallace-Smith, Spain-Reichl, Giordano, Jabbour, Rotello, Chianese, Duane Perkins, Britton, McAllister, Robinson, Laughinghouse, Dennis Perkins PRESENT: 21 ABSENT: 0 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 Geoff Herald, Resident, 18 Foster St. – Spoke in favor of Items #5 and 27 Paul Bauma, Resident, 3 Crestdale Dr. – Spoke in support of Item #27 Laurie Mumford, Resident, 62 Old Ridgebury Rd. – Spoke in favor of Item #27 Greg Wencek, Resident, Sil Cam Dr. – Spoke regarding the Cultural Commission (Item#1) Denise Minson, Resident, 93 Park Ave. – Spoke in favor of Item #27 Barry Rickert, Resident, 26 Schoolhouse Dr. – Spoke in support of Items #5 and 27 Billy Katzing, Resident, 13 Johnson Dr. – Spoke in regards to Item #9 Council Member Fay called for a Point of Order regarding the role of the Mayor during Council meetings. Warren Levy, Resident, 5 Pilgrim Dr. – Spoke against Item #9, asked about Item #10, and noted the importance of Item #1. Ken Gucker, Resident, 89 Padanaram Rd. – Spoke in support of Items # 7, 15 and 27 Rob Melillo, Resident, 1 Lois St. – Spoke about Item #27 BUDGET PRESENTATION Mayor Alves presented the proposed budget for Fiscal year 2026-2027. MINUTES Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting held March 3, 2026. A motion was made by Council member Buzaid, and was seconded by Council member Chianese, to receive the council minutes from the Meeting held on March 3rd, as all members have copies and copies are on file in the Legislative Assistants Office, and approve those minutes as they are presented. Motion Carried Unanimously. CONSENT CALENDAR None AGENDA 1. COMMUNICATION - Appropriations for the Fiscal Year beginning July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2027 A motion was made by Council member Salvatore, seconded by Council member LaPine, to refer this to a Public Hearing. Motion Carried Unanimously. 2. COMMUNICATION - Appropriating $3M for Public Improvement in the 2026-2027 Capital Budget A motion was made by Council member Gartner, seconded by Council member Salvatore, to refer this to a Public Hearing followed by a Committee of the Whole. Motion Carried Unanimously. 3. COMMUNICATION – Sewer Rates as of July 1, 2026 A motion was made by Council member Flanagan, seconded by Council member Salvatore, to refer this to a Public Hearing followed by a Committee of the Whole. Motion Carried Unanimously. 4. COMMUNICATION – Water Rates as of July 1, 2026 A motion was made by Council member Hawley, seconded by Council member LaPine, to refer this to a Public Hearing followed by a Committee of the Whole. Motion Carried Unanimously. 5. COMMUNICATION – Appointment of Deputy Fire Chief A motion was made by Council member McAllister, seconded by Council member Duane Perkins, to receive the communication and confirm the promotional appointment of Captain Theodore Mourges as Deputy Fire Chief of the Danbury Fire Department. Motion Carried Unanimously. 6. COMMUNICATION – Appointments to the Board of Ethics - Kayal, Medeiros, Valinoti A motion was made by Council member LaPine, seconded by Council member Salvatore, to receive the communication and confirm the appointments of Abraham Kayal, Pedro Medeiros, and Michael Valinoti to the City of Danbury Board of Ethics with a term expiration of 4/1/2028. Motion superseded by a call for an ad hoc by Council member Henry. Mayor Alves appointed Salvatore as the Chair; LaPine and Henry. 7. COMMUNICATION – Re-Appointment to the Board of Ethics - Goldman A motion was made by Council member Wallace-Smith, seconded by Council member Rotello, to receive the communication and confirm the re-appointment of Hillel Goldman to the City of Danbury Board of Ethics with a term expiration of 4/1/2028. Motion superseded by a call for an ad hoc by Council member Henry. Mayor Alves appointed Salvatore as the Chair; LaPine and Henry. 8. COMMUNICATION – Amendments to Ordinances Sec.14-21 thru 14-80: Fire Department A motion was made by Council member Spain-Reichl, seconded by Council member Salvatore, to receive the communication and refer this to a Public Hearing followed by a Committee of the Whole with the Fire Department Leadership, Corporation Counsel, Human Resources, the Mayor’s Office and any other departments deemed necessary to effectuate an outcome be present. Motion Carried Unanimously. 9. COMMUNICATION – Amendments to Ordinances Sec. 22-19 thru 22-30: Police Department A motion was made by Council member Giordano, seconded by Council member Gartner, to receive the communication and refer this to a public hearing followed by a committee of the whole with the Police Department Leadership, Corporation Counsel, Human Resources, the Mayor’s office and any other departments deemed necessary to effectuate an outcome be present. Motion superseded by a call for an ad hoc by Council member Fay. Mayor Alves appointed Britton as the Chair; Hawley and Henry. 10. COMMUNICATION – Collaboration and Data Use Agreement with Cummings Foundation for Behavioral Health for Wellness Services - Police Department A motion was made by Council member Jabbour, seconded by Council member Salvatore, to receive the communication and ratify the collaboration and data use agreement as presented and approved by corporation counsel and risk management. Motion superseded by a call for an ad hoc by Council member Henry. Mayor Alves appointed Gartner as the Chair; Giordano and Henry. 11. COMMUNICATION – Donation to Copsicle Truck - Police Department A motion was made by Council member Britton, seconded by Council member Rotello, to receive the communication and accept the donation of $1,000 from Michael Scherer for supporting the programs in relation to the EPE/CCU Ice Cream Truck and will ask the Legislative Assistant to send a note of thanks on behalf of the City Council. Motion Carried Unanimously. 12. COMMUNICATION – Donation from Rotary Club & Traveling Toys Inc. for Toy Library - Danbury Library A motion was made by Council member Robinson, seconded by Council member Chianese, to receive the communication and accept the donation of $5,000 from the Rotary Club and Traveling Toys, Inc. for supporting the programs in relation to the creation of a toy lending library in the Danbury Public Library and will ask the legislative assistant to send a note of thanks on behalf of the City Council. Motion Carried Unanimously. 13. COMMUNICATION – Application for Sewer and Water Main Ext- Damia Drive A motion was made by Council member Laughinghouse, seconded by Council member Salvatore, to receive the communication and refer this for reports back from the City Engineer and Planning Commission. Motion Carried Unanimously. 14. COMMUNICATION – Application for Sewer Main Ext. - 48 East Gate Road A motion was made by Council member Spain-Reichl, seconded by Council member Salvatore, to receive the communication and refer this for reports back from the City Engineer and Planning Commission. Motion Carried Unanimously. 15. COMMUNICATION – Application for Sewer Main Ext- 85 Wooster Heights Road A motion was made by Council member Gartner, seconded by Council member LaPine, to receive the communication and refer this for reports back from the City Engineer and Planning Commission. Motion Carried Unanimously. 16. COMMUNICATION – Application for Renewal of Water & Sewer Ext. - Great Plain Rd & Great Meadow Rd A motion was made by Council member Salvatore, seconded by Council member Laughinghouse, to receive the communication and refer this for reports back from the City Engineer and Planning Commission. Motion Carried Unanimously. 17. RESOLUTION - Connecticut Neighborhood Assistance Act Tax Credit Program A motion was made by Council member Flanagan, seconded by Council member Salvatore, to receive the communication and refer this to a Public Hearing followed by a Committee of the Whole. 18. RESOLUTION - Acquisition of Property: Reserve Road Parcel (West Side Fire Station) – Renewal A motion was made by Council member McAllister, seconded by Council member Chianese, to receive the communication and reauthorize the resolution as presented for an additional period of six months. Motion Carried Unanimously. 19. RESOLUTION - Acquisition of Property: 147-149 Westville Avenue Ext. (Water Treatment Plant Upgrades) – Renewal A motion was made by Council member Giordano, seconded by Council member Laughinghouse, to receive the communication and reauthorize the resolution as presented for an additional period of six months. Motion Carried Unanimously. 20. RESOLUTION - CT Transportation Alternative Program (TAP) Grant (Amendment Request) – Engineering A motion was made by Council member Jabbour, seconded by Council member LaPine, to receive the communication, and based on the certification of available funds to cover the additional city match amount, approve the resolution as presented. Motion superseded by a call for an ad hoc by Council member Henry. Council member Chianese asked Mr. Garrick (Finance Director) for the current balance remaining in the SNAPP Bond; Mr. Garrick agreed to get him that information. Mayor Alves appointed Buzaid as the Chair; McAllister and Henry. 21. RESOLUTION – Congressionally Directed Spending Grant - for Athletic Facility and Field Upgrades A motion was made by Council member Robinson, seconded by Council member Wallace-Smith, to receive the communication and authorize the funding request as outlined in the resolution as presented. Motion Carried Unanimously. Council member Fay asked Ms. Prunty (Assistant Finance Director) and Mr. Hughes (Construction Services) how the locations for the upgrades were identified; Mr. Hughes explained the increase use of the fields discussed in the request and that those three were the only ones without lighting. Council member Coelho asked Mr. Hughes if the lighting would affect all six fields at Kenosia; Mr. Hughes confirmed the fields at Kenosia would be lite. Council member Rotello asked about light pollution; Mr. Hughes explained that the lights are designed to not bleed into nearby neighborhoods. 22. RESOLUTION – CT DOH Emergency Shelter Grant - COLA Funds (Amendment Request) - Health and Human Services A motion was made by Council member Laughinghouse, seconded by Council member Chianese, to receive the communication and approve the amended resolution as presented. Motion Carried Unanimously. 23. RESOLUTION - CT DOH Small Cities Grant (Amendment Request) - Health & Human Services A motion was made by Council member Hawley, seconded by Council member Britton, to receive the communication and approve the amended resolution as presented. Motion superseded by a call for an ad hoc by Council member Henry. Mayor Alves appointed Gartner as the Chair; Flanagan and Henry. 24. RESOLUTION – The Peter & Carmen Lucia Buck Foundation Grant (Amendment Request) - Department of Elderly Services A motion was made by Council member LaPine, seconded by Council member Salvatore, to receive the communication and approve the amended resolution as presented. Motion superseded by a call for an ad hoc by Council member Henry. Mayor Alves appointed Laughinghouse as the Chair; Jabbour and Henry. 25. RESOLUTION – Dollar General Literacy Foundation - Youth Literacy Grant - Library A motion was made by Council member Wallace-Smith, seconded by Council member Gartner, to receive the communication and approve the amended resolution as presented. Motion superseded by a call for an ad hoc by Council member Henry. Mayor Alves appointed Robinson as the Chair; Chianese and Henry. 26. RESOLUTION – CT Office of the Arts Make Music Day Grant - Cultural Commission A motion was made by Council member Gartner, seconded by Council member Chianese, to receive the communication and approve the resolution as presented. Motion Carried Unanimously. Council member Rotello spoke about the history and importance of the work that the Cultural Commission provides to the community. 27. RESOLUTION & REPORT – Ad Hoc: Charter Revision A motion was made by Council member Buzaid, seconded by Council member Chianese, to waive reading of the minutes: I move to waive the reading of the ad hoc minutes as all members have copies and copies are on file with the Legislative Assistant's Office, as well as accept the report as amended. Motion Carried Unanimously. Council member Coelho asked that his name be added to the name of attendees at the meeting. Main Motion: A motion was made by Council member Salvatore, seconded by Council member LaPine, to receive the communication and based on the ad hoc recommendation approve the resolution as presented. Council member Fay explained her concerns with the timeline and presentation of the resolution, and commented on a conflict of interest for the ad hoc chair who is also being appointed to the commission. Council member Coelho spoke about his concerns with the proper information being noticed; Council member Rotello discussed his concerns with what could be changed, including the number of Council members for each ward. Council member Duane Perkins also expressed concerns with what could be changed. Council member Wallace-Smith urged the Council to support the much-needed review of the Charter. Council member Gartner expressed her support to open Charter Revision; and Council member Fay noted past discussions regarding proposed changes and that no new proposed changes have been provided to the Council. Council member Robinson spoke to the need for Charter Revision and supports the process. Motion to Amend: A motion to amend the Main Motion was made by Council member Henry, seconded by Council member Fay, to make the amendment to split the vote of the resolution into two separate parts; by a roll call vote. Motion Failed. No – 14, Yes – 7 (Coelho, Fay, Henry, Rotello, Chianese, Duane Perkins, Dennis Perkins). Back to the Main Motion. Council member Salvatore discussed the process now and in the past which did not include the vetting of the candidates, and urged the public to participate in the process; Council member Buzaid spoke about the process when he served on the Commission in the past, and asked for clarification from Corporation Counsel regarding the following: Correct noticing, whether there was a conflict of interest with Council member Britton, and if the steps in this process are legal; Mr. Casagrande confirmed that noticing was done correctly, that there is no conflict, and that the process is legal. Roll Call for Clarification: A roll call vote of the Main Motion was taken for clarification, not to reconsider the motion. Yes – 17, No – 4 (Coelho, Fay, Henry, Rotello). 28. RESOLUTION & REPORT - Engineering & Planning: Condemnation of Utility Easement within Lombardi St A motion was made by Council member Buzaid, seconded by Council member Rotello, to waive the reading of the reports provided by engineering and the planning commission as all members have copies and copies are on file with the Legislative Assistant's Office, as well as accept the reports as presented. Motion Carried Unanimously. A motion was made by Council member Britton, seconded by Council member Robinson, to receive the communication and adopt the resolution as presented. Motion Carried Unanimously. Council member Chianese asked Mr. Iadarola (City Engineer) if the easement includes paving of the entire road; Mr. Iadarola explained that the road will be reviewed at the completion of the water extension to evaluate additional work that may be needed; he noted that this is a private project on a private road. 29. REPORT - Ad Hoc: Government Entities Review Committee (GERC) A motion was made by Council member Buzaid, seconded by Council member Chianese, to waive the reading of the ad hoc minutes as all members have copies and copies are on file with the Legislative Assistant's Office, as well as accept the reports as presented. Motion Carried Unanimously. A motion was made by Council member Salvatore, seconded by Council member Gartner, to receive the communication and approve the sewer main extension subject to the City’s standard eight steps and conditions. Motion Carried Unanimously. 30. REPORT - Engineering & Planning: Application for Sewer Main Ext. - 72 Liberty St. A motion was made by Council member Buzaid, seconded by Council member Chianese, to waive the reading of the reading of the reports provided by engineering and the planning commission as all members have copies and copies are on file with the Legislative Assistant's Office, as well as accept the reports as presented. Motion Carried Unanimously. A motion was made by Council member Gartner, seconded by Council member Salvatore, to receive the communication and approve the sewer main extension subject to the City’s standard eight steps and conditions. 31. DEPARTMENT REPORTS - Police, Fire, Health & Human Services, Public Works, Permit Center, UNIT, Elderly Services, Public Library A motion was made by Council member Buzaid, seconded by Council member Duane Perkins, to waive reading of the reports and accept as presented: I move to waive the reading of the reports as all members have copies and copies are on file with the Legislative Assistant's Office, as well as accept the reports as presented. Motion Carried Unanimously. Council member Chianese asked Chief Ridenhour about traffic enforcement of scooters; Chief Ridenhour confirmed that traffic violation enforcement will continue to increase to make sure that drivers of all ages are obeying traffic laws. Council member Chianese asked Ms. Carvalho about overflow shelter preparation and awareness. Council member Rotello asked Ms. Carvalho about flu and covid numbers and strains; Ms. Carvalho confirmed there was a slight uptake and the newest strain has been detected but in minimal numbers. Mr. Day (Public Utilities Superintendent) also confirmed water levels are ok. Council member Coelho thanked Chief Ridenhour for the work that went into apprehending a shooter recently. Council member Laughinghouse thanked the Public Works department for their work to install a new elevator at Hayestown School. Council member Wallace-Smith praised the Police Department and a new officer specifically for her work at an incident that she observed recently. Council member Coelho asked Ms. Pearson (Library Director) about proposed changes to the Friends of the Library’s by laws and use of funds; Ms. Pearson confirmed the Friends is a 501c3 and the city has no say on how they use their funds. Council member Jabbour thanked Ms. Carvalho for her work with the homeless; and Council member Rotello discussed the status of a building project on Main Street with Mr. Albakry (Director of Planning), who confirmed it should be done in two years. Item # 27 was revisited for a vote count for the record (see Roll Call for Clarification in Item 27). COMMITTEES The Mayor Extended All Committees. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Council member Buzaid, seconded by Council member Wallace-Smith, to adjourn. Motion Carried Unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 9:32p.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