Public Meetings - Danbury, Connecticut

The Danbury City Council met on June 2, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. with 18 members present and 3 absent. The meeting included the Pledge of Allegiance, a prayer led by Councilman Salvatore, and announcements of June events. Major agenda items included the confirmation of fire department promotions, approval of the Connecticut Cultural District designation, federal grants for the airport, and a resolution adjusting compensation for elected officials. Public comments were heard, and several items were approved on the consent calendar. Consent Calendar - Reappointment of Ryan Fucci to the Commission for Persons with Disabilities (term through June 1, 2029) - Reappointment of John Genteel Sr. to the Commission for Persons with Disabilities (term through June 1, 2029) - Reappointment of JP Shradinsky to the Aviation Commission (term through June 1, 2029) - Acceptance of a $1,000 donation from Michael Scherer for the DPDCU ice cream truck program - Approval of an agreement with Candlewood Lake Authority to store/repair vessels in the airport maintenance hangar - Approval of resolutions for items 18, 21, 22, and 23 as presented - Items 9 (Cultural Commission reappointment) and 10 (Richter Park Authority reappointment) were removed from consent and voted on separately. Public Comments & Testimony - Jeff Harold (Foster Street) spoke in favor of the appointments of Chief William Lounsbury and Captain Dennis Ricard, citing personal knowledge of their capabilities and character. - Lisa Scales (Mountain View Terrace), Executive Director of the Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut, expressed support for the proposed Danbury Connecticut Cultural District designation, stating it would connect existing arts and cultural assets, raise visibility, and support economic development and quality of life. - Robert Aberhard (Six More Road) spoke in favor of reappointing Peter Szyzinski to the Richter Park Authority, praising his leadership and common sense, and noting the authority is at a critical crossroads regarding infrastructure. Discussion Items - Fire Department Promotions (Items 1–5): The council confirmed the promotional appointments of Acting Fire Chief William Lounsbury to Fire Chief, Lieutenant Sean Peltier to Fire Captain, Lieutenant Dennis Ricard to Fire Captain, Firefighter James Babcock to Fire Lieutenant, and Firefighter Mark de Grandis to Fire Lieutenant. Each appointee received unanimous approval and gave brief remarks. - Reappointments (Items 9 & 10): John Cook II was reappointed to the Cultural Commission for a term through June 1, 2029. Councilman McAllister praised his commitment to the King Street neighborhood. Peter Szyzinski was reappointed to the Richter Park Authority for a term through June 1, 2029. Councilman Salvatore and others commended his service. - Annual Suspense List (Item 12): The council authorized transferring $389,957.71 to the suspense list for taxes from taxpayers no longer in business, deceased, or relocated out of state. - Audit Firm Appointment (Item 13): The council approved appointing RSM US LLP as the city's independent auditors, as recommended by the Finance Director. - Water Main Extension (Item 14): A communication for a water main extension at 15 Great Pasture Road was referred to the city engineer and planning commission for a report back, and an ad hoc committee was formed (Council President Buzade, Councilwoman Jabur, Councilman Henry). - Connecticut Cultural District Designation (Item 16): The council approved a resolution allowing Danbury to pursue official state designation as a Connecticut Cultural District. Councilman Hawley noted the district was informed by a public workshop and aligns with sustainable CT goals. Councilman Perkins called it a long-awaited step. The resolution authorizes application submission; any future contracts would return to the council. - Community Development Block Grant (Item 17): The council approved the CDBG annual action plan for program year 52, allowing the city to apply for and accept $602,234 in funding (no local match required). - FAA Grants (Items 19 & 20): Two grants for the municipal airport were approved: one for $675,000 (city share $33,750) and one for $3,518,000 (city share $135,900) for runway and taxiway improvements. Councilman Rotello discussed narrowing the runway width from 100 to 75 feet to avoid additional costs. - Elected Officials Compensation (Item 24): A resolution from the ad hoc committee proposed setting mayor, town clerk, and treasurer salaries at $165,000 for the next term (starting December 2027) with automatic annual cost-of-living adjustments pegged to the mayor's salary. Councilwoman Faye moved to recommit, arguing the resolution was poorly written, ambiguous, and potentially violated state law. The motion to recommit failed. Extensive debate followed on timing, optics, and market competitiveness. Councilman Rotello emphasized broadening the candidate pool, while Councilman Coello opposed the 20% increase given economic hardships. Corporation counsel stated the resolution complied with state law and the charter. The main motion passed on a voice vote. Key Outcomes - Confirmed all five fire department promotions (Lounsbury, Peltier, Ricard, Babcock, de Grandis) unanimously. - Approved reappointments of Cook and Szyzinski. - Authorized transfer of $389,957.71 to the suspense list. - Approved appointment of RSM US LLP as auditors. - Referred water main extension for report and formed ad hoc committee. - Approved resolution to pursue Connecticut Cultural District designation. - Approved CDBG annual action plan acceptance of $602,234. - Approved two FAA airport grants with city shares. - Passed resolution setting elected officials' compensation for the next term, including automatic adjustments. - Accepted departmental reports; noted crime reductions and discussed detour concerns and bus patrol camera data privacy.

The Danbury Charter Commission met on May 27, 2026, at 6:30 PM. The meeting included public participation, approval of minutes, and discussion of Chapters 5 (Appointed Boards and Commissions) and 8 (Miscellaneous) of the proposed charter. The commission also reviewed red-line edits from the previous meeting and outlined upcoming work sessions and a public hearing. Public Comments & Testimony - Henry, a resident of 11 Corn Castle Road, Danbury, addressed the commission. He advocated for the creation of an application process for boards and commissions, noting that of approximately 300 positions, 250-60 are currently vacant. He stressed the need for a residency clause to ensure taxpayers make decisions, a vacancy clause to address quorum issues, and a review process involving the Board of Ethics. He also suggested exploring term limits for appointed members. Discussion Items - Red Line Review: The commission briefly reviewed the red-line draft from the prior week, noting that the meeting time for organizational meetings was set at 7:00 PM to avoid FOI issues. They also discussed a requirement to maintain two physical copies of proposed rules/regulations, which is statutory. - Chapter 5 – Appointed Boards and Commissions: Commissioner Armstrong noted the charter is not user-friendly for the public and suggested bullet points or a table of contents. Commissioner Jowdy raised a concern about adding too much text to the charter, as it is difficult to change. The commission discussed whether a residency requirement for appointed boards should be added. Chairperson indicated a consensus for adding a residency clause, and the secretary will obtain data from the mayor’s office on current non-resident members. The commission also noted that the mayor’s appointment power is detailed in Chapter 4, not Chapter 5, and that the council has discretion to set appointment procedures via ordinance. - Chapter 8 – Miscellaneous: - Section 8-2: The mayor’s office recommended striking this section; the commission will revisit when department heads attend next week. - Section 8-3 (Conflict of Interest): Commissioner Armstrong noted the section lacks clarity on enforcement. The commission agreed to add a new subsection (F) referencing the city’s Code of Ethics to specify that violations are handled by the Board of Ethics. - Section 8-4 and 8-5: Cleanup language to add “authorities” to the list of entities covered. - Section 8-8 (Retirement): Commissioner Armstrong questioned why only retirement is mentioned; the commission will flag for further discussion with HR. - Section 8-10 (Periodic Charter Review): The date will be updated to reflect the current commission’s formation, with a requirement that the council consider a resolution at least every 10 years. - Future Meetings & Public Hearing: The commission has four meetings scheduled in June (3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th) and will dedicate the 24th to a full draft review. One additional public hearing will be scheduled in late June or early July, avoiding the July 4th week. The commission plans to produce a draft report by end of June and a final report by August. Key Outcomes - Consensus on Residency Requirement: The commission agreed to consider adding a residency clause for appointed boards and commissions. The secretary will request a list of current non-residents from the mayor’s office for review at the next meeting. - Section 8-3 Amendment: Directed staff to add a new subsection (F) referencing the city’s Code of Ethics to clarify enforcement of conflict of interest provisions. - Section 8-10 Update: The periodic review date will be updated to the current year (2026) and every 10 years thereafter. - Section 8-2 Recommendation: Noted the mayor’s office recommendation to strike; to be discussed further when department heads attend. - Acknowledgment of Public Comments: The commission will include a summary in the final report or cover letter indicating how each public comment was addressed or why it was not adopted. - Next Steps: The commission will continue chapter-by-chapter reviews, with a full draft meeting on June 24, 2026. One more public hearing will be scheduled.

The Danbury Board of Awards met on May 26, 2026, at 10:02 a.m. (Note: The transcript indicates the meeting date as May 20, 2026, but the instruction specifies May 26, 2026). The meeting was chaired by Purchasing Agent Chip Folky, with members including Attorney Tracy Norris, Assistant City Engineer Dan Petrovic, Assistant Purchasing Agent Debbie Natale, Superintendent of Public Utilities David Day, and Finance Director Dan Garrick. Two items were considered: a one-year extension of the agreement with Veolia for operation and maintenance of the water pollution control plant, and a sole-source purchase of traffic calming software from Urban SDK. Discussion Items - One-year extension of agreement between Veolia and City of Danbury for operation and maintenance of the water pollution control plant, from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, under same terms and conditions. The city will work on a long-term renewal during this period. A letter from Veolia dated May 18, 2026 was submitted acknowledging the extension. - Sole-source purchase of Urban SDK software for traffic calming, speed study, and mobility analytics at a cost of $20,500 for a one-year term. A detailed sole-source justification was provided stating that Urban SDK is the only system offering all required functions in a single solution. Key Outcomes - Motion to approve the one-year extension with Veolia carried unanimously. - Motion to award the sole-source purchase to Urban SDK for $20,500, contingent upon execution of the agreement, carried unanimously. - Meeting adjourned by unanimous consent.

The Board of Awards of Danbury, Connecticut, met on May 26, 2026, at 10:04 a.m. (as recorded in the transcript). The meeting was called to order by the purchasing agent. Attendance included Tom Janesky (Assistant Superintendent of Public Services), Kara Ponte (Assistant Finance Director), Ms. W. Natalia (Assistant Purchasing Agent), Caton Higgins (Assistant Superintendent of Public Utilities), and Attorney Tracy Norris from Sisting Corporation Counsel. Two items were considered and both were approved unanimously. Discussion Items - Kenosha Wellfield PFAS Engineering Services: The board previously awarded an on-call engineering contract to Tate & Howard for $360,100. Public utilities submitted a proposal letter from Tate & Howard dated April 10, 2026, requesting an additional $26,900 for work outside the original scope. A motion to award the additional amount was made and seconded. - Street Sweeper Replacement Parts: The board had previously authorized a purchase order to CN Wood for up to $25,000 for street sweeper parts on an as-needed basis via state contract. Equipment maintenance requested an amendment for an additional $20,000, raising the total to $45,000, which exceeded the purchasing agent’s $35,000 limit, requiring board approval. Key Outcomes - Motion 1: Approved the additional $26,900 to Tate & Howard for engineering services for the Kenosha Wellfield PFAS project. Motion by Mr. Janesky, seconded by Ms. Prunty. Unanimous (all in favor). - Motion 2: Approved the amendment to award $45,000 to CN Wood for street sweeper parts and service via state contract. Motion by Mr. Janesky, seconded by Ms. Prunty. Unanimous. - The meeting was adjourned after the second motion.

The Danbury Board of Awards met on May 26, 2026 (note: the transcript records the date as April 29, 2026, creating a discrepancy) to consider three agenda items. Purchasing Agent Chip Volpe chaired the meeting. In attendance were Attorney Gracie Norris, Debbie Natalie, Kent Higgins, Dan Garrick, and remotely Sean Hanley. All three items were approved unanimously. Discussion Items 1. Addition of Danbury High School West to Brightley Software Work Order System – Public Buildings submitted a requisition for services to add the newly renovated high school to the existing Brightley system. The total cost is $42,006.55, which includes a facility condition assessment, equipment barcoding, and tagging. A sole source justification was provided citing the proprietary nature of the software. Superintendent Sean Hanley explained the assessment is required to populate the system with detailed location data. The item was approved unanimously. 2. Purchase of Badger Water Meter Items for Public Utilities – Public Utilities requested purchase from Styles Company, Inc. for $35,150.16 under a cooperative contract. A sole source justification from Badger indicated Styles is the only authorized distributor in Connecticut. The items are compatible with existing Badger meters. Approved unanimously. 3. Chemical Bid – Copper Sulfate Price Increase Request – The Water Department had an existing bid award to Veneera Chemical at $116 per 50-pound bag. Due to a 31.8% increase in copper prices, Veneera requested a 14% increase to $132.24 per bag for the remainder of the contract (through June 30, 2026). The bid allows price adjustments after six months. Approved unanimously. Key Outcomes - All three motions passed unanimously with no opposition or discussion against. - The meeting was adjourned shortly after the votes. Note: The provided meeting date is May 26, 2026, but the transcript header states Wednesday, April 29, 2026. This discrepancy was not resolved in the source material.

Note: The transcript begins with the date "April 14th, 2026," but the meeting is specified to have taken place on May 24, 2026. This summary reflects the content of the transcript while using the provided date. The Commission for Persons with Disabilities met to discuss constituent calls, ongoing accessibility concerns, plans for a 5K run outreach table, and broader issues related to safe streets, traffic, and infrastructure. Public Comments & Testimony - The commission received two phone calls during the month. The first caller was a woman who moved from New York to Danbury (lives in Ives Manor, has a disability). She reported that the New York Department of Social Services never informed her that moving to another state would terminate her New York benefits, leaving her without benefits temporarily. She also faced difficulties with doctors not transferring her medical records. The commission referred her to the Connecticut Department of Social Services and the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO), and suggested the Choices program for advocacy. - The second caller was Paul Childs, regarding a person with a disability living at the old Danbury Hotel (Main Street). The caller experienced difficulty making contact—when someone answered the phone, there was no response, and follow‑up calls went unanswered. The commission noted the issue but had no further update. Discussion Items - 5K Run Outreach Table: The commission has a table reserved at the Hatters Park 5K run on April 25, 2026 (though the meeting date is May 24, 2026, this event is discussed as upcoming). The table will be staffed from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. A flyer for recruiting new members was shared; members were asked to review it by April 25 for any edits before printing. - Safe Streets Program and Crosswalk Issue: Commissioner Isabel reported a conversation with a city official (name not recalled) from the Safe Streets program. She raised the need for a crosswalk near her home on the Bethel–Danbury line, but was told it is low priority and complicated by three jurisdictional authorities (state road, town line). She described dangerous conditions: no stop line at a traffic light, cars parking too close to the curb, and lack of solid sidewalks. The commission discussed how this reflects broader infrastructure issues as the city grows. - I-84 Traffic and Safety: The commission discussed overflow traffic from I-84 onto local streets, noting that I‑84’s curves and merging points cause regular backups. Reference was made to a planned project to move Route 7 to a right‑hand exit and keep I‑84 straight, but commission members noted that eminent domain and cost make major fixes unlikely. Maps from the Safe Streets program are available on the city website. - Personal Challenges: Commissioner Isabel reported losing her regular home health aide and having no coverage for other days, leaving her housebound except for short periods to shop or see doctors. She noted that Medicaid does not provide 24/7 aide coverage. Another member shared a story about a relative in a nursing home being charged $500/day to reserve a room and extra fees for a bed near a window, and criticized Medicare/Medicaid cuts. Key Outcomes - Motion to Approve Minutes: A motion was made to approve the minutes from the previous meeting (reference to "50 minutes from all 10th" likely meaning approval of minutes from April 10). The motion was seconded and carried unanimously by voice vote. - Motion to Adjourn: A motion to adjourn was made and seconded; all members voted in favor. The meeting adjourned at 7:07 p.m.

This was the 17th meeting of the Marjorie Reservoir Trail Committee Advisory Committee, called to order at 6:32 PM. The meeting was limited to administrative tasks: receiving and accepting the conceptual feasibility materials from Barton and La Guidas (BNL) and authorizing their transmittal along with the committee's recommendation memorandum to the City of Danbury and the Town of New Fairfield. The meeting was properly noticed; no public comment was on the agenda, as extensive public engagement had been conducted previously. Consent Calendar - Approval of Minutes: The minutes from the last meeting were approved by voice vote (all in favor, none opposed) without reading, as they were distributed in advance. - Rescind Prior Motion: A procedural motion was made and seconded to rescind the motion from meeting number 16 that suspended future meetings, solely to allow this properly noticed meeting to proceed. The motion carried (all in favor, none opposed). Discussion Items - Feasibility Materials from Barton and La Guidas: The committee received and discussed the conceptual feasibility materials, including the trail alignment, environmental constraints, engineering analysis, public input, and preliminary conceptual cost estimates. The materials were distributed to members in advance. Committee member Peter Hearn noted he had asked his questions prior to the meeting. The materials remain subject to refinement during future design phases. - Recommendation Memorandum: The chair (Holly Robinson) explained that a draft memorandum had been circulated in January and would be finalized by June 25, 2025 (note: the year was stated as 2025 but the meeting date is 2026; the transcript says "January" and "June 25th" in context of a timeline for submission to the city council. The summary uses the dates as stated.) The memo will include the committee's process, discussions with BNL, the full feasibility study, outstanding questions, recommendations for segmentation, total construction costs for phase one, and operations and maintenance costs. The memo will be submitted to the City of Danbury by June 25th for the July 7th City Council notice packet. - Timeline and Cost Information: The committee expressed concern about receiving cost data from BNL in time. The chair will push BNL to provide the promised cost information (construction and O&M) before the memo deadline. If not received, the submission will proceed without full dollar figures, and the municipalities can obtain estimates via their own RFPs. Key Outcomes - Motion to Receive and Accept Feasibility Materials: A motion was made, seconded, and passed (all in favor) to formally receive and accept Barton and La Guidas's conceptual feasibility materials presented at this meeting (meeting 17), including the conceptual alignment and preliminary conceptual cost estimates. - Motion to Authorize Transmittal with Recommendation Memorandum: A motion was made, seconded, and passed (all in favor) to authorize the chair to transmit the accepted feasibility materials along with the recommendation memorandum to the City of Danbury and the Town of New Fairfield. The memorandum will be approved substantially in the form distributed in January, with non-substantive edits allowed by the chair, and incorporating any emailed comments from committee members received by June 25th. - Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned with no further discussion.

The Charter Revision Commission held its fourth meeting on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, starting at 6:30 PM. Six commissioners were present. The meeting included public participation, approval of prior minutes, review of redlined language from previous discussions, and detailed consideration of Chapter 3 (City Council) sections. Several substantive decisions and action items were identified. Public Comments & Testimony - Michael Henry (11 Corinthsville Road) urged the commission to include a residency clause, a 60-day vacancy-filling requirement, and term limits for all appointed positions, including newly formed commissions. - Peter Bazade (2 Irving Drive) discussed Chapter 3, noting the legislative assistant position should be merit-based and suggested the council decide that by ordinance rather than leaving it exempt from civil service. He supported keeping 21 council members. - Benjamin Shinezi (5 Prior Ridge Road) advocated for merging the Board of Education’s financial systems with the city to reduce costs, and argued the town clerk should be an appointed (not elected) merit position, requiring certification. He also recommended that the legislative assistant report directly to the council and be protected under the merit system. - Warren Levy (5 Ogram Drive) supported Bazade’s position on the legislative assistant. He argued the city council should be expanded from 21 to 27 members (adding two wards and two at-large seats) to reflect population growth from 40,000 to 86,000. He also asked the charter to authorize future adoption of a public campaign finance system. - Larry (Foster Street) urged a universal review and modernization of all job descriptions included in the charter. - Lori (town clerk, name not fully given) detailed the complexity of the town clerk’s office—handling vital records from Danbury Hospital—and warned against making the position appointive without input from career staff. She noted certification takes years and a civil service test may not capture the role’s breadth. - Michael Flanagan (35 Jefferson Avenue, city council member) underscored the volume of hospital-related paperwork handled by the town clerk’s office, making Danbury’s office unique. Discussion Items - Redlined Language Review: Commissioners discussed reapportionment committee language, correcting a date error (2021 → 2031) and replacing “timely” with a specific 30-day deadline. The oath of office section was noted as still under review. Language about selecting a minority leader when more than two parties are present was found confusing; the commission agreed to ask lawyers to draft clearer options. - Chapter 3, Section 3-1 (Number of Council): After hearing public comments both for and against changing the 21-member size, commissioners expressed consensus to keep the number unchanged, citing difficulty recruiting candidates and the argument that Congress has not increased despite population growth. - Section 3-2 (Presiding Officer): The commission agreed to set the organizational meeting at 7:00 PM on the first Monday of December, replacing the fixed “8:00 PM” with a time that could be adjusted by the council (e.g., “or such time as designated”). - Section 3-3 (Legislative Assistant): Strong support emerged for making the position merit-based (civil service) to protect institutional knowledge. The commission decided to workshop language, exploring options such as council oversight by ordinance, and to bring back proposals. - Section 3-4 (General Powers): Agreed to remove the phrase “printed in book form” to modernize for electronic codes. - Section 3-5 (General Procedure): Commissioner Sepranic raised concern about a single council member sending items to ad hoc committee, suggesting a requirement of four members (including at least one from the majority) to do so. The commission will review current procedures and consider amendments in later meetings. - Section 3-7 (Ordinances and Resolutions): The commission decided to retain “majority vote of those present” to align with the quorum section, avoiding unintended consequences of requiring a majority of the entire membership. - Section 3-8 (Public Notice) & 3-10 (Publication): Agreed to tie notice requirements to state statute rather than mandating newspaper publication, allowing future flexibility for electronic posting and language accommodation. - Section 3-13 (Committees): Commissioners favored giving the council flexibility to create standing or ad hoc committees by resolution, rather than limiting to ad hoc. The voting threshold for establishing committees will be discussed further. - Section 3-14 (Investigation): Minor gender and terminology updates (e.g., “termination” instead of “dismissal”) were agreed upon. - Section 3-17 (Conveying/Leasing Real Estate): The language “two-thirds of the entire membership” was noted as consistent; no changes proposed. Key Outcomes - Minutes Approved: The minutes from the previous meeting were approved with one abstention (Commissioner Armstrong). - Action Items: The commission directed staff to: - Draft revised language for appointment of commission members when more than two political parties exist (reapportionment section). - Prepare options for making the legislative assistant a merit-based position, including potential council appointment procedures. - Provide current ordinance/Robert’s Rules procedures for ad hoc committee referrals. - Research state statute requirements for public notice to inform 3-8/3-10 edits. - Consensus Items (no further debate needed): - Keep 21 council members. - Set organizational meeting at 7:00 PM on first Monday of December (or as designated). - Remove “printed in book form” from Section 3-4. - Update Section 3-8 and 3-10 to reference state statute notice requirements. - Generalize Section 3-13 committee language (more details to follow). - Next Steps: A revised redline incorporating these decisions will be presented at the next meeting. The meeting adjourned at 8:20 PM.

The Danbury Charter Revision Commission met on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at 6:33 PM. The meeting focused on reviewing Chapters 1 and 2 of the city charter, with extensive discussion on term lengths for elected officials, reapportionment procedures, and other amendments. The meeting adjourned at 7:54 PM. Public Comments & Testimony - Warren Levy (5 Drive, Danbury) argued against extending the mayor's term from two to four years, stating that longer terms reduce accountability and entrench incumbents, and that continuity comes from professional staff, not term length. He urged the commission to pair any change with safeguards like campaign spending limits. - Larry (no address given) spoke in favor of four-year terms for all municipal offices, citing reduced campaign distraction, continuity, and the prevalence of four-year terms across the country. He noted that half the country has four-year terms for municipal offices. - Michael Henry (11 Corn Towser Road, Danbury) opposed four-year terms, noting that only 19 of 169 Connecticut cities and towns have adopted them. He also advocated for a formal, transparent appointment process for boards and commissions, distributing a list of nearly 300 positions. - Jeff Harold (Foster Street, Danbury) expressed concerns about four-year terms, questioning whether they would reduce political activity or increase transparency. He suggested the commission study the cost-benefit of four-year terms and consider both positive and negative lists. Discussion Items - Chapter 1 – Incorporation and General Powers: The commission agreed to add “and resident” to the preamble (“right of every citizen and resident”) and to update “town” to “city” in territorial limits language. - Chapter 2 – Elections and Officers: - Term Lengths: After hearing from the public, elected officials, and commissioners, the commission reached unanimous consensus to adopt four-year terms for all elected offices (mayor, council, town clerk, zoning commission, etc.). Invited speakers included the president of the council (who supported four-year terms for all), the town clerk (who emphasized the complexity of the job and the need for longer terms), and the zoning commission chair (who noted training benefits and candidate recruitment). The registrars of voters discussed cost savings from fewer elections but noted that staggering terms could offset continuity concerns. - Minority Representation: The commission agreed to keep the existing minority representation provisions. - Reapportionment: Commissioner Sefranik, citing his experience, proposed lowering the threshold for selecting the fifth reapportionment commission member from unanimous to a majority (3 of 4 members). If the four members cannot agree within 30 days, the mayor shall appoint with council consent. Corporation counsel recommended adding language to ensure compliance with all applicable federal laws (including the Voting Rights Act), not just constitutional standards. The commission also discussed a fallback if the commission fails to submit a plan by September 30: the council may appoint a qualified consultant or other person by majority vote. This was agreed upon with the understanding that the council would not be required to hire a specific firm. - Vacancies: The commission agreed to add a catch-all provision: if the council fails to fill a vacancy within 60 days, the mayor shall appoint a council member within 15 days. - City Clerk: The commission agreed to remove the reference to the city clerk, as the position no longer exists. - Gender-Neutral Language: The commission agreed to update all references from “he” or “she” to “they.” - Oath of Office: The commission flagged potentially updating the oath to be more theologically neutral (e.g., “so help me God” or “such higher power”) and will review language. - Town Clerk Position: Discussion on whether to change the town clerk from elected to appointed was postponed until the department head section, when HR representatives will be present. Key Outcomes - Consensus on Four-Year Terms: The commission unanimously agreed to move forward with four-year terms for all elected offices, with corporation counsel to draft implementing language. - Reapportionment Amendments: The commission agreed to (1) lower the threshold for selecting the fifth member from unanimous to a majority of the four appointed members, (2) add a fallback to mayor appointment with council consent if no agreement within 30 days, (3) include language requiring compliance with all applicable federal laws, and (4) provide a fallback for the council to appoint a qualified consultant if the commission fails to submit a plan by September 30. - Vacancy Fill: The commission agreed to add a provision that if the council does not fill a vacancy within 60 days, the mayor shall appoint a council member within 15 days. - Minutes Approved: The minutes from the previous meeting were approved as amended. - Next Steps: Corporation counsel will prepare redline language reflecting the consensus for review at the next meeting. The commission will continue workshop-style review of remaining charter chapters.