Good evening, everybody.

I'm calling the January 6th, 2026 meeting to order at 7 p.m.

A little change there.

I'll ask us all to please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance.

I'm gonna ask our buddy Sean to lead us in the pledge this evening.

I'm coming.

I'm filling you linked to the flag of the United States of America.

And to the Republic for which it stands.

One nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

If you all can please remain standing, I'll ask Councilman Salvatore to lead us in prayer.

God, we gather here today to intent to do good work.

We seek to represent fairly and well those who have given us this task.

May our efforts be blessed with insight, guided by understanding and wisdom.

We seek to serve with respect for all.

May our personal faiths give us strength to act honestly and well in all matters before us.

Amen.

Amen.

Thank you, Councilman.

Madam Legislative Assistant, can you please call the roll, please?

Coolo.

Flanagan.

Paulie.

Lepine.

Salvatore.

Present.

Present.

Gartner.

Present.

Faye.

Henry.

Faye is on her way down from Hartford.

Just a little traffic room.

Okay.

Wallace Smith.

Spain Rico?

Rikel.

Giordano.

Jabor.

Rotello.

Chinese.

Dwayne Perkins.

Britton is on military leave still, right?

Yep.

McAllister.

Robinson.

Laughinghouse.

And Dennis Perkins.

Mike Coello is here as well.

Okay.

Paul Rotello, Councilman Rotello as well.

Thank you.

Thank you, sir.

18 present, three absent.

Thank you.

We have a calendar of events that is posted.

If you have any information, ever want to put anything on there, please let us know.

You can find that information online as well.

I will read off, but we also have some life events that I want to draw your attention to.

So for the month of January, we have a few birthdays.

We have Councilwoman Diane LePine on January 24th.

Happy birthday, Councilwoman.

Right next day, we have Councilman Michael Coello, January 25th.

Happy birthday, Councilman.

And uh our councilman and Lieutenant Joseph Britton is on January 31st.

Joe, I'm pretty sure he is watching.

Happy birthday, Councilman.

On January 7th, we have the Meet the Women's Business Development Council at the Danbury Library, uh hosted by the Women's Business Development Council in partnership with the library at 6 p.m.

This is uh in the Ferrioli program room.

On January 9th, uh this one's special for a lot of folks in our community.

We're having a Sean Rashford halftime retirement ceremony.

So all of you who know Coach, who also is our parks director, he has been the longtime baseball coach for Danbury High School, and he's retiring from that position.

Uh this is being hosted by DHS Athletic Apartment.

Uh tickets are available at events.hometown ticketing.com, 7 p.m.

at Danbury High School.

Again, let's do a nice farewell and thank you to Coach Ratch.

January 11th, the Librarians Documentary, hosted by the Danbury Cultural Commission.

Tickets available at the Palace Dambury.com.

This will be at the Palace Theater on Main Street, 7 p.m.

I'm sorry, 3 p.m.

Uh, January 11th.

Uh the monthly scholarship fund breakfast for the Danbury VFW uh post-149.

They just give what you can to help out their scholarship program.

It's a great breakfast once a month.

This is 9 a.m.

5 Byron Street.

January 14th, the ribbon cutting for the free little card barn ribbon box.

This is hosted by City Center Danbury.

This is at 3 30 p.m.

at 120 Main Street, right outside Civic.

Uh it's one of those like share if you've seen those share libraries.

This one I believe is for shared cards.

Good sentiments, and it's a great thing for the community.

We will be there.

January 19th, Martin Luther King Junior Day celebration at New Hope Baptist Church.

Hope to see a lot of you there.

The ceremony starts at 10 a.m.

This is at 12th Dr.

Aaron Samuels Boulevard, New Hope Baptist Church.

It's a great community event, and I look forward to it every year.

January 26th, we have the Danbury Recreation Department Blood Drive, hosted by the Recreation in partnership with Red Cross.

To register, go to redcrossblood.org and enter Danbury Rec.

No space, Danbury Rec.

That's 12 p.m.

to 5 p.m.

Hatters Park Banco Hall, 7 East Haystown Road.

That is the last one, so I will just uh do a personal ask.

I hope if you can donate blood, um, please do.

Uh it's always a need, there's always a shortage.

I think a lot of folks here can probably know or know somebody who that has helped.

Uh, if we can make that plea as a community get people to get out there uh and do that.

I I really do hope you do.

This is the Danbury Recreation Department Blood Drive.

Register at Red Crossblood.org, enter Danbury Rec, D-A-N-B-U-R-Y-R-E-C, January 26th, 12 p.m.

to 5 p.m.

That is it for the calendar events.

Uh the first 30 minutes of every meeting is reserved for matters in front of the public here.

Uh the council, um, you can express views and opinions.

Please use microphones at either end of your aisle.

And please state your name clearly and your address into the microphone.

This is for Danbury residents or taxpayers and cities on matters before the council.

Uh, with that, are there any members of the public wishing to speak?

Any members of the public wishing to speak?

Mr.

Gucker.

Uh Ken Guerker, 89P in Dam Road, and I want to start off by saying uh congratulations, Mr.

Mayor, for beating cancer.

Thank you.

Uh as the uh son of both parents surviving cancer.

I know it's not easy.

Uh it's not easy on the family.

Uh it's the part that people seem to forget.

You know, the you know, the person going through cancer has quite the road ahead of them as far as the uh treatments involved, whether it be the chemo or the radiation, um, and the lifestyle changes as far as losing your hair.

Me, I'm losing my hair without having cancer, but uh uh, but at the same time, um the stress that it brings upon the family.

Um, welcome to one of the the group of survivors.

Um there's a number of things on the agenda tonight.

And I won't bore you with with all of them.

But items number two through five within a total agreement, pass them, please, as we say in the legislature.

Good bill ought to pass.

Uh let's get them done.

Uh they have been long looked at and hard uh fought, and I think we should follow through on those uh those items.

Item number eight, uh the appointment of zoning board alternate uh appeals.

Full support of having some new blood on that board.

As anybody has dealt with the zoning board of appeals, I think that we really need to take a hard long look at the work that they do, but at the same time, also maybe looking at once they render a decision that the applicants actually what they've advocated for is actually what's built.

And the reason why I say that, you'll be talking about another item later on the agenda, uh a job on Hillendale, which what was presented sadly to the board was not what was followed through.

And even though the board did or the applicant did follow the letter of the board's decision, it was not in the uh spirit of it.

So I'm hoping with uh Keegan being part of that board that we can make some changes with that.

Um item number 10, Richter Park Authority.

I can't think of a better person to be on there than Councilman Giordano.

Uh he is not only a neighbor of Richter Park, but he's also a frequenter of not only its nature, but it's art and culture.

As somebody who fought long and hard to get support for Richter Arts, whether it be uh $650,000 for renovating of the building for Richter Arts uh to get to just recently getting uh dollars for musical at Richters to support the programs.

I know Lucian has been a fierce advocate of really making sure that this gem in the seventh ward is protected and is supported, and I can't think of a better person uh to be serving on that board.

Item number 13, I already spoke about uh at the public hearing of the whole, so I won't bore you with that.

Um but basically it kind of piggybacks into item number 14, the resolution.

Uh resolution uh resolution that authorizing the issuance of sales and revenue bonds.

This goes back to where I started tonight.

Cancer treatment.

This goes back to looking at a project that the City of Danbury has been mulling over since in my mind 2019-2020, uh proton therapy here in Danbury.

With the issuance of these bonds, as we spoke, have been speaking about in the past meetings, it has shown that this is a way of generating and bringing business and economic development in a commercial aspect into the City of Danbury without the tools that have been used in the past, which is a seven-year tax abatement, which in some aspects has bared fruit, and other aspects has not beared anything but more responsibility on our school systems.

I feel that supporting these issuances will go a long way to helping Danbury Proton become viable here in Danbury.

And these bonds have been used in other communities.

You know, other cities such as Bridgeport, Hartford, New Britain, New Haven, New London, Norwalk, Norwich, Stanford, Waterbury, and West Hartford have used these to great success.

But then so have smaller communities, because we always think that these will really help the larger communities.

It also has helped smaller communities such as Colchester, East Haven, Farmington, Glastonbury, Killington, Killingley, Naugatuck, Plainful, Southington, Weathersfield, Woodston, and Woolkitt.

With all of these other communities using this method of financing to such great success, and building up their economic development, which also brings up their grant list, why shouldn't we in the City of Danbury do the same?

I think Danbury Proton has been a very good partner here in Danbury.

They have been very patient, not only with the State of Connecticut, with all the hoops that they've had to jump through to get approval, but they have also been willing to wait it out because they recognize that Danbury would be an excellent home for their type of service.

And going on with the onset of my conversation, anything that is going to help people get through the trials and tribulations of cancer, I think is a worthy worthy thing to get behind.

Lastly, what I kind of alluded to before, please approve item number 19, the conveyance of the parcel of land at 24 Hillendale Road.

Anyone who has been following what's been going on with this, uh it is a parcel of land that the City of Danbury would have thought if you were driving down or through Hillendale, you would have already assumed belongs to the City of Danbury.

Because the road, Hillendale Road, actually traverses and goes over said parcel of land.

When these lots were broken up in the 50s to build to make building lots and to make this development, an oversight to where the owner of this property, one of the last developed lots on Hillendale, actually went under the road and across the street to the neighbor's yard.

By you acquiring and taking this land, which I believe is part of the conditions of approval through the ZBA.

Danbury will now finally own this piece of property that we have been maintaining and taking care of since the 50s.

So I please ask you to accept the uh parcel of land.

And thank you, Mr.

Mayor, and congratulations again.

Thank you again.

Thank you, Mr.

Gutter.

Any other members of the public wishing to speak?

Any other members of the public wishing to speak?

Any other members of the public wishing to speak?

Seeing none, we will close public speaking and move on to our minutes.

Council President Peter Buzade, please.

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor.

I move to receive the council minutes from the special meeting on December 1st and the regular meeting on December 4th.

We have a reading of those minutes as all members of copies and copies are on file with the legislative assistance office and approve the minutes as they are presented.

Motion has been made, seconded by Councilman Dwayne Perkins.

Councilman, any remarks?

Any remarks, any remarks?

Seeing none, I will try your minds.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Any opposed?

Ayes have it.

Vote is so ordered.

Um Councilman Salvatore, can you please read off the consent calendar?

Consent calendar for January 6, 2026.

Item number 11.

I move to receive the communication and accept on behalf of the Danbury Police Department a donation in the amount of $1,000 for the DPD CCU ice cream truck with a note of thanks to Michael Scherer for the donation.

Item number 15.

I move to accept the communication and authorize Mayor Roberto L.

Alves, Mayor of the City of Danbury, or Cara Prunty, Assistant Director of Finance as his designee to apply for and accept $75,000 grant from the Aquatic Nuisance Species Management Plan Grant Pro execute all contracts, agreements, and other required documents, and to take all necessary actions to effectuate the purposes of this grant application.

Item number 16.

I move to receive the communication and authorize Mayor Roberto L.

Alves, Mayor of the City of Danbury or Cara Prunty, Assistant Director of Finance, and his designee 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.

Item number 17.

I move to receive the communication and authorize Roberto L.

Alves, Mayor of the City of Danbury or Fernanda Cavallo, Director of Health and Human Services is designee to execute the Third Amendment and any other documents necessary to effectuate the purposes thereof.

Item number 18.

I move to receive the communication and hereby amend the September 2023 resolution to reflect the actual awarded amount of $105,000 plus an additional COLA in the amount of $5,839 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 a 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.

Item number 19.

I move to receive the communication and upon receiving a positive recommendation from the Planning Commission.

Accept the conveyance of the parcel at 24 Hillendale Road, subject to the legal documents being acceptable to the Corporation Council's office.

That is your consent calendar.

Thank you, Your Honor.

I move to accept the consent calendar as presented.

Motion made, seconded by Councilman Ben Chinese.

Council, are there any remarks?

Any remarks?

Any remarks?

See none, I'll try your minds.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

Ayes have it.

Vote is so ordered.

Item number one, please.

Communication appointment of police officers.

Dear Council members, I hereby submit for your confirmation the appointment of the following individuals to the position of certified police officer with the Danbury Police Department.

Officer Justin Agostino served as a police officer for the City of Waterbury for two years before joining the police force.

He worked as a plumber in his family business, where he played a significant role in its operations.

He achieved the rank of number two on the current certified police officer eligibility list.

Officer Giovanni Gabrielli has been working as a police officer with the New Britain Police Department for the past one year and seven months.

Prior to that, he worked intermittently for his father's construction company and served as a technician for a traffic lane closure company.

He achieved the rank of number two on the current certified police officer eligibility list.

Officer Benjamin Sunny has been a police officer with the NYPD for the past year.

Prior to this role, he worked as a corrections officer for the New York City Corrections Department at Rikers Island for nine years.

He has over ten years of experience as a percussion musician and soundboard engineer and is conversational in Myalayam.

He holds an associate's degree in business administration from the College of Saten Island and achieved the rank of number six on the current certified police officer eligibility list.

I am proud and honored to present these exceptional candidates who will serve the city well with their extensive experience and skills.

Thank you for considering these appointments.

Sincerely, Roberto Alves, Mayor.

Council, it's your pleasure.

Thank you, Honor.

I move to receive the communication and approve the appointment of Justin Augustino, Giovanni Gabrielli, and Benjamin Sonny as certified police officers and the Danbury Police Department.

Motion is made, seconded by Councilman Dwayne Perkins.

Council, is there any remarks?

Any remarks?

Any remarks?

Seeing none, I will try your minds.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

The ayes have it.

The vote carries unanimously.

Congratulations, gentlemen, are you all here?

Please stand up.

Please stand up.

Welcome to the best police force in the state of Connecticut.

I don't know if you guys have anybody with you, but we'll go one at a time.

Let you uh come to the mic and say a few words if you'd like.

You don't feel like you have to.

Thank you, everybody, for letting me be here.

Uh it's an absolute honor and pleasure.

It wasn't an easy road getting here.

It took a long time to come become a police officer, but I'm very grateful for this opportunity.

And I want to say special thank you to the mayor and all of you, and especially the chief and the deputy chief for getting me this far, because without them wouldn't be possible.

And I'm very honored to be serving this community.

So thank you.

But we're excited to have you.

Please thank you.

Thank you all.

Congratulations.

Thank you.

Welcome.

Hi, good afternoon, everyone.

My name is Officer Sonny.

I'm currently with the NYPD now.

And uh just like she said, I do have 10 years of experience with Rikers Island.

And so I'm looking forward to uh bringing my expertise and everything that I've done to Danbury.

Uh the only reason why I'm uh proceeding with Deborah is because I heard a lot of good things about it from my wife.

I just got married a little while ago, and she was hyping Connecticut in Danbury.

So smartly smart woman.

Smart guy.

So somebody who knows nothing about Dairyberry, you know, I'm looking forward to it.

And so um just uh please look out for me.

Thank you so much.

We will welcome out, welcome.

Congratulations.

And the Chief Slide, you don't have to stay the whole meeting.

All right?

Item number two, please.

Ordinance and report, ordinance section 46-3, all terrain vehicles, utility terrain vehicles, dirt bikes, and mini motor motorcycles, operation prohibited on city property.

We'll call on Councilman Peter Buzage to go over the uh reading.

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor.

I move we waive a reading of the public hearing minutes as all members of copies and copies are on file in the legislative assistance office.

Motion has been made and seconded by Councilman Paul Rotello.

Councilmember, this is on the minutes.

Are there any remarks?

Any remarks?

Any remarks?

Seeing none, I will try your minds.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Vote is so ordered.

Council, is there uh what is your pleasure?

Councilwoman Le Pine.

Thank you, Honor.

Thank you, Your Honor.

I move to receive the communication and adopt ordinance section 46-3 as amended and presented.

Motion has been made, seconded by Councilman Ben Shianese.

Council, are there any remarks?

Any remarks?

Any remarks?

Seeing none, I will try your minds.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

Ayes have it.

The vote is so ordered.

Item number three, please.

Ordinance and report, ordinance section 46-6, street takeovers.

I will also call on Councilman Peter Buzade again for the reading of the minutes.

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor.

I move to waive a reading of the public hearing minutes, has all members of copies and copies are on file at the legislative assistance office.

Motion has been made, seconded, I think, by Councilman Rotello again.

Uh council, any remarks on the minutes?

Any remarks?

Any remarks?

Seeing none, I will try your minds.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Any opposed?

Ayes have it.

Vote is so ordered.

Council, what is your pleasure?

I'm sorry, I didn't do the hand.

Councilwoman Wallace Smith.

Thank you, Honor.

I move to receive the communication and adapt the ordinance, Section 46-6, street takeovers as presented.

Motion has been made, seconded by Councilman Chinese.

Council, are there any remarks?

Any remarks?

Any remarks?

See none, I will try your minds.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

The ayes have it.

The vote is so ordered.

Thank you.

Item number four, please.

Ordinance and report.

Ordinance section 20-99 definitions.

Councilman Peter Buzade, you're busy with the minutes today.

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor.

I move to waive a reading of the public hearing minutes.

Is all members of copies and copies are on file of legislative assistance office?

Motion made, seconded by Councilman Paul Rotello.

Council on the minutes.

Any remarks?

Any remarks?

Any remarks?

See none, I'll try your minds.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Any opposed?

Ayes have it.

The vote is so ordered.

Council, what is your pleasure?

Councilman Giordano.

Thank you, Your Honor.

I move to receive the communication and approve the ordinance, Section 20-99 as amended and presented.

Motion has been made, seconded by Councilman Ben Chinese.

Council, are there any remarks?

Any remarks?

Any remarks?

See none.

I will charge your minds.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Any opposed?

I have it.

The vote is so ordered.

Item number five, please.

Ordinance and report.

Ordinance section 20.

Oh, sorry.

Ordinance Section 20-137.

Penalties for violation of abatement order.

Councilman Peter Buzade.

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor.

I move that we waiver reading of the public hearing minutes as all members have copies and copies are in file at the legislative assistance office.

Motion made seconded by Councilwoman Diane Lepine.

Council, any remarks on the minutes?

Any remarks?

Any remarks?

See none, I'll try your minds.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Any opposed?

Ayes have it.

Vote is so ordered.

Council, what is your pleasure?

Councilman McAllister?

Thank you, Your Honor.

I move to receive the communication and approve the ordinance section 20-137 as amended and presented.

Motion has been made, seconded by Councilman Benchinese.

Council, are there any remarks?

Any remarks?

Any remark?

Councilman Rotello.

Thank you, Your Honor.

Testing, test we are.

After a lot of reflection and discussion, I was at the ad hoc public hearing.

Can you just tap the mic one more time?

Paul, just touch it slightly.

Testing.

Give me one second.

Sounds like you're on.

There you go.

Sorry about that.

I'll restart.

After a lot of reflection and discussion at the ad hocs, and we've gone over this on multiple occasions.

And this is something that we have waited a decade or more for.

There is, however, a flaw in this ordinance that has not been corrected, and it leads me to a position that I'm at tonight where I support enforcement, but I can't support this ordinance.

And the flaw it's a really simple flaw, and it's a really easy, simple fix, but for some reason it didn't get fixed.

And that is that when we investigate in a legal apartment, often some of the fixes are fairly simple and don't require participation from other city agencies like your parking cars on a front lawn.

You've got an extension cord where it shouldn't be.

You can remove that.

You've got a door that's blocked by debris, which might lead to a fire hazard.

And those things can be fixed on the spot.

However, there's an awful lot of things in buildings that can only be fixed in cooperation with other agencies of the city that require permits, health inspections, and things like that.

And in order to commence the repairs.

You have to start with the basement of this building and file for a permit, and getting a permit can take a week, 30 days, 60 days, whatever, three months.

It depends.

Inspections have to follow.

This ordinance does not allow for that.

This ordinance sets in hard time limits that are independent of whether you got your permits to begin construction, let alone complete it.

So we're in a position where you can be fined even though you are waiting for a permit to do the work.

Now you could have just purchased a building, for instance.

Sometimes you are a landlord who is complicit in these violations.

Sometimes you're a do-gooder landlord, a reform landlord who is buying a building to fix it up.

But you can't do that because you can't get your permits.

So that leaves the inspector in a position where he has to use or she has to use their judgment.

And the idea with these ordinances to take that away from the inspector, to not put that onus, that responsibility, that authority in the hands of the inspector to take that away so the inspector says, listen, this is what you have to do.

This is the law.

If the inspector has to wait for a permit to come in that's that's not forthcoming, and does, and gives that particular property owner a break, that that's fine.

I don't have a problem with that.

I mean, that's the way it ought to be done, and it should be baked into this ordinance.

But there will be times when maybe an inspector won't want to wait for a permit to come in.

And that can lead to accusations of capricious enforcement and presidential actions on the part of the city, which puts the inspector in a bad position, puts the city in a bad position.

This can be fixed easily, and normally I would vote for this and say we'll just fix it in a couple of months.

But the fact of the matter is, I brought this point up well before we got here tonight, and nothing has been done about it, so I'm not really confident that anything is going to be done about it later on.

So I know this is going to pass tonight, and I know the city needs something like this, but I can't participate in this particular issue because I think that ultimately it is unfair, and it's such an easy fix and it should be fixed.

And maybe it will be fixed, but it hasn't been fixed tonight, so I can't support it.

But again, I do support and have supported over the last 20 years, uh taking proactive actions against some of these bad operators.

And I think the City has in general done a pretty good job over the last 20, 25 years.

Um if you remember what it was like in the 90s and the early O's with the attic apartments, the broken windows and things like that, and the cars all over the place.

That's really we really move the dial on Danbury.

We're kind of getting into those dark corners that were really hard to fix before.

And it's good that we're doing that, but we have made a tremendous amount of progress, and I am confident that under this ordinance we will continue to make more.

But there's a couple of flaws here that make me uh unable to support it.

Thank you, Your Honor.

Thank you.

Counsel, any remarks?

Councilman Perkins.

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor.

Um I think I know the answer to this, but any any efforts for to make corrective action to this would be a substantive change and it would require a amendment to pass favorably in order to get that type of I guess language included or to corporation counsel?

Can you please use the mic?

Um the Chair.

Uh thanks for the question, uh Councilman.

The answer is yes.

It would be a substantive change, if I understand Councilman Rotello's concerns, and therefore it would have to go through the formal amendment process.

Okay.

If you were to adopt it tonight and then want to make a change, it would require an amendment to the ordinance.

Okay.

Would that have been a more complex procedure within that ad hoc, or could it have been um fixed with general uh uh uh language?

If it were done before the public hearing, I would say it would be a relatively easy fix.

But once the public hearing was noticed, certain due process rights can be.

So we always err on the side of saying if there's even an argument that it's a substantive change versus just a procedural change, the most prudent course of action is to treat it as a substantive amendment and require the amendment prosecuting.

Thank you.

Any other remarks?

Councilman Shay?

Thank you.

Thank you, Your Honor.

I um similarly have concerns to Councilman Rotello's, although slightly different.

Um my concern is centered around the ability for an appeal.

It seems to be mandatory language in one where it shall be subject to civil penalties, and yet there's only one grounds for appeal that exists currently, and I can think of a host of reasons that the city would not want to enforce it as written, would want to make accommodations, would want to encourage the repairs, um, you know, in a blighted situation, in any situation.

So in a perfect world, I think I would want to see the flexibility for uh an appeal to be taken under other circumstances except for it being a tenant or subtenant's willful act.

Yes, please.

Uh thank you.

Um the problem, Councilman, is is that this ordinance is a creature of statute.

The statute basic the ordinance basically tracks the language of the statute.

When I was reviewing the statute, too, I I too was caught by the fact that you can only bring an appeal under very limited circumstances from the penalty.

Now, that doesn't mean that you forfeit your rights to appeal from the abatement order under the public health code.

So you st you still have those appeal rights under the public health code, but unfortunately, we're hamstrung by what the statute requires us to do.

Thank you through the chair.

I understand I understand that entirely, but I think that sort of makes Councilman Rotello's point a little stronger in that there may be other tweaks or you know, pending permits, uh pending restoration projects, things like that, that um the inspector will not be able really to consider because we have the mandatory shall language that tracks the statutory language.

One more please.

Mr.

Mayor, the the only comment I would make on that is I think the the ad hoc committee meeting minutes, it was made clear by Sean Stillman and Fernanda that the enforcing officers do have a certain amount of discretion in deciding whether or not to issue an abatement order.

And I think the minutes reflect that they exercise that discretion if the property owner is willing to work with them.

Now, the other point I would make as a matter of law is that a public official is is presumed to act in accordance with the law and in accordance with their duties.

Could there be a situation that arises where someone could argue that there was a discriminatory enforcement?

We would work with the departments to make sure that we avoid that kind of challenge wherever possible.

Thank you.

Councilman Hawley?

I am sorry.

Councilman Hawley?

Yep.

Thank you.

Thank you, Honor.

Uh I just have a few prepared comments I just want to put on the record.

I am supporting this motion tonight, but I just want to uh begin by commending the mayor and his administration for putting forward a serious and well-structured proposal to strengthen our ability to enforce our municipal code.

Creating a more efficient process to address repeat violations, particularly around unpermitted dwellings as a legitimate and necessary goal.

And I agree that bad actors who are profiting from unsafe housing conditions must be addressed.

Many residents are living in conditions that are not acceptable, and this council has a responsibility to act.

That said, I do want to put uh some concerns on the record about this approach.

As written, this ordinance reflects an enforcement first housing policy.

My concern is that without parallel housing solutions in place, enforcement alone can have unintended consequences.

It risks displacing vulnerable residents, increasing pressure on our unhoused population, and creating significant relocation impacts under state law.

I believe this effort would be stronger if it if it continues to be paired with a clear housing first strategy that includes expanding accessory dwelling units citywide, increasing emergency shelter capacity, and strengthening affordable uh housing requirements and planning for relocation support when enforcement is necessary.

Enforcement alone does not equal safety.

This is a long-standing systemic issue, and it requires tools that work over the long term and not just immediate compliance.

With those concerns noted, I do appreciate the mayor uh the administration's intent and the seriousness of which this issue is being addressed.

And I will be supporting this item tonight with the expectation that we continue working collaboratively to strengthen the housing first solutions alongside uh enforcement.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilman Hawley.

Council, any other remarks?

Councilman, Councilwoman Robinson.

Yeah, I just want to um go back to circle back to the original point that the Councilman Rotello brought up and that was um mirrored by others.

I I think it is very hard when you are drafting an ordinance to put in language that allows for flexibility in the enforcement provision because of clarity.

And and I I understand where Councilman Rotello is coming from, but I think that the adverse comment is what exactly would that language say?

Um I think if you put something or amended this in any way to allow for some um caveats for enforcement, then that becomes a little bit more difficult than looking at how our um enforcement officers, um, how Sean and his group um do have flexibility, we have to assume that people will utilize this in good faith um and allow for some flexibility when someone is working um to try to remediate something.

I I just caution that when you are drafting an ordinance and you want to put in something, some language that allows for an out or a caveat, you have to be very, very careful.

Um I don't believe that this requires that in this circumstance.

I think that we have to rely on our um city um officials to be able to enforce it in good faith.

So thank you.

Thank you, Councilwoman.

Council, any other remarks?

Any other remarks?

Close it with Councilman Jose, please.

Peter.

Thank you.

Um, is the health director present?

Uh she is.

Fernanda.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Uh Ms.

Carvalho, you are the director of health of the City of Danbury, and you are responsible to enforce Danbury's housing code.

Is that correct?

Correct.

Okay.

During the time you've been health director and with our health department, to your knowledge, has our department ever enforced an order and sought sanctions against anyone who is actively seeking a building permit or some other permit from the City of Danbury to correct their violation?

No.

If they are working closely with other departments to rectify remediate the problem, we will work with them until the problem is resolved.

This ordinance, the goal of it is to address the ones that are resisting our orders and neglecting the issue.

Okay.

And Ms.

Carvalho, in terms of issuing a no you issue initially either a notice of violation or an order of abatement, isn't that correct?

Correct.

And in that order, uh the property owner or whoever is responsible for the violation has the right of appeal right then and there, do they not?

Correct.

Okay.

And they can appeal that administratively.

Is that correct?

Exactly, yes.

All right.

And so they have a right of appeal right from the very beginning before there is any hint of a penalty.

And under this ordinance, not only they have that right of appeal, they get a second right of appeal to the City Council once they are fined.

So there's a lot of backstop and protection for any homeowner built into this.

Is there not?

Correct.

That is correct.

Thank you.

Mr.

Mayor, I just have a few remarks.

This is just an effort to streamline and make more efficient the enforcement of health orders for housing violations in the City of Danbury.

For too long, it took far too long to get an order or a penalty against anybody who was in violation of our housing code.

This makes it faster.

It makes it more efficient, and it avoids the necessity of the City of Danbury having to get a lawyer and bring a lawsuit.

I know a little bit about that because for decades, I helped enforce the housing code in the City of Danbury.

It is a little cumbersome, it is a little complicated.

This is a good step in in the City of Danbury where we have many situations, particularly many apartments that do not comply with our housing code.

It allows for quick, efficient, and fair enforcement where a property owner has two opportunities, two separate opportunities of appeal.

I urge my fellow council members to vote in support of this.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilman.

With that, I will try your minds.

All those in favor?

I am sorry.

Just through the chair to Councilman Bazid, just as for clarification.

The um appeal that goes to the State of Connecticut Department of Health is actually for the violation, not for the penalty, correct?

Sorry, we got a point of order.

Go ahead, Councilman.

Mr.

Mayor is uh Councilmember microphone?

I am sorry.

I don't believe that a council member can be um questioned directly from the day?

She went through the chair.

Is that that's acceptable?

I mean that's fine.

Okay.

Thank you.

Go ahead.

So may I answer, please?

Yes, that's correct.

So they have a right of appeal either to the State Health Department or the Danbury Building Code Board of Appeals, depending on what the nature of the violation is.

Okay.

With that, I will try your minds.

You want to roll call vote?

We'll roll call vote.

Right.

Coallo?

Holly?

Yes.

LaPine?

Yes.

Salvatore?

Yes.

Use Aid?

Yes.

Gardner?

Yes.

Faye?

Yes.

Henry?

Yes.

Wallace Smith.

Absolutely.

Spain Reichel?

Yes.

Giordano?

Yes.

Jay Bohr?

Yeah.

Rotello?

Chinese?

Yes.

Dwayne Perkins?

Yes.

Britton is not here.

McAllister?

Yes.

Robinson?

Yes.

Laughinghouse?

Yes.

Dennis Perkins.

18 yes and one no.

Thank you.

Motion carries.

Long time comment.

Item number six, please.

Communication requests for a school district committee.

Honorable mayor and city council.

I am submitting this formal request for the reinstatement of the school district ad hoc committee.

Given the significant foundational work completed and the complexity of the ongoing issues, I further propose expanding the committee's membership from three to five individuals.

Holly Robinson, Councilwoman.

Council, what is your pleasure on this?

I'm sorry, Councilwoman Robinson.

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor.

I move to receive the communication and approve the request to establish this ad hoc committee consisting of leadership from 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.

Seconded by Councilman Frank Salvatore.

Any remarks on the letter?

Any remarks?

Any remarks?

Seeing none, I'll try your minds and acceptance of the letter.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

The ayes have it.

I will then, in accordance with the vote established an ad hoc committee consisting of uh Councilwoman Holly Robinson and the chair, Councilman Joe Britton, and since we have lost Councilman Irving Fox and throw Councilman Mike Coalow.

Thank you.

Item number seven, please.

Communication appointments to the Planning Commission.

Honorable members of the City Council.

I hereby submit for your confirmation the appointment of the following residents to serve as full members of the Danbury Planning Commission.

Ayla Novas, Arnold Finaldi Jr., and Sydney Nazario.

Ms.

Novas will be graduating from May in May of 2026 from the University of Connecticut with a bachelor's degree in urgent and community studies.

And with her un with her under outstanding academic and leadership credentials, she brings directly relevant knowledge to the Commission's work.

Her internship experience with the City at Danbury's Corporation Council office combined with her demonstrated commitment to public service will make her an invaluable and future-minded asset to the Planning Commission.

Mr.

Finaldi has served in as an extra an extraordinary 21 years on the Planning Commission, including many years as its longtime chairman, and has done so with integrity, distinction, and a deep respect for the responsibilities entrusted to the body.

He brings a long institutional history, an open mind to every decision, and a thoughtful balanced approach that has helped guide Danbury's growth for more than two decades.

His experience, judgment, and unwavering dedication to the city make his continued service immensely invaluable or valuable.

Ms.

Mr.

Nazaro's two years on the Danbury Zoning Commission, combined with his professional background as a national sales manager at SARS and his work as a licensed real estate agent, provide him with meaningful practical expertise in planning and development.

As a Western Connecticut State University MBA graduate who is raising his family in Danbury, he brings both technical understanding and a strong personal commitment to the responsible and sustainable community growth.

Respectfully submitted Roberto Alves, Mayor.

Thank you.

Council, what's your pleasure?

Councilwoman Laffinhouse.

I move to receive the communication and confirm the appointment of Alia Novis, Arnold E.

Finaldi Jr., and Sidney No uh Sidney Nazario to the Planning Commission with a term expiration of January 1st, 2029.

Motion has been made, seconded by Councilwoman Diane LePine.

Council, are there any remarks?

Any remarks?

Any remarks?

Seeing none, I'll try your minds.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Any opposed?

Ayes have it.

Vote is so ordered.

Item number eight, please.

Communication appointment to the zoning board of appeals.

Dear City Council members, I hereby submit for your confirmation the appointment of the following residents, resident to serve as full members of the Danbury Zoning Board of Appeals.

Keegan Willemson.

Mr.

Willemson brings more than a decade of high-level global finance and analytical experience, giving him the strong decision-making skills essential for thoughtful zoning review.

His background in strategic planning, compliance, and complex regulatory oversight uniquely equips him to evaluate zoning matters with precision and fairness.

With an MBA from the Wharton School and extensive experience leading cross-functional teams, he offers both technical expertise and collaborative leadership to the board.

His work managing financial operations across multiple countries demonstrates an ability to navigate complex systems, assess risk, and apply sound judgment to impact impactful decisions.

As a Peace Corps volunteer and community focused professional, Mr.

Williamson brings an balanced self-service-oriented perspective that will greatly benefit the residents of Danbury.

Respectfully submitted Roberto Alves, Mayor.

Council, with your pleasure.

Councilwoman Mia.

Thank you, Your Honor.

I move to receive the communication and confirm the appointment of Keegan G.

Willamson to the Zoning Board of Appeals with a term expiration of January 1st, 2029.

Motion is made, seconded by Councilwoman Cheryl Wallace Smith.

Council, any remarks?

Any remarks?

Any remarks?

Seeing none, I will try your minds.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Any opposed?

Ayes have it.

Vote is so ordered.

Item number nine, please.

Communication appointment to zoning commission.

Dear Mayor Alves and members of the City Council.

On behalf of the Danbury Republican Town Committee, I am pleased to recommend Mr.

Robert Botello to fill the current vacancy on the Danbury Zoning Commission, created by the resignation of Mr.

Thomas Nee Jane.

Mr.

Botello previously served as an elected member of the Zoning Commission from 2023 to 2024.

He is a lifelong resident of Danbury and a graduate of Immaculate High School.

He currently serves as chairman of the St.

Peter's Church Building Committee and is a corporator for Union Savings Bank.

In addition, Mr.

Botello was recently honored as the benevolent person of the year by the Boy Scouts of America.

His prior civic service includes serving as chairman of the mayor's task force on homelessness and as past president of the Danbury War Memorial.

Mr.

Botello has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to public service and to the City of Danbury.

His experienced institutional knowledge and dedication would make him an avaluable asset to the zoning commission as he fills Mr.

Nee James's seat.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely, Michael Coello, Chairman of the Danbury Republican Town Committee.

Thank you.

Council, what's your pleasure?

Councilman Laughinghouse.

I move to receive the communication and approve the appointment of Robert Patello to the zoning commission.

Second.

Motion has been seconded by the whole council, Bob.

I'll pick up Frank, I think I heard your first.

Councilman Salvatore.

Council, with any remarks?

Any remarks?

Any remarks?

Seeing none I'll try your minds.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Any opposed?

The ayes have it.

The vote carries unanimously.

Bob, welcome back.

Congratulations.

I know you want to say a couple.

I should do a couple of words and then I'm going to swear you in right away.

Go right to the mic, Bob.

I'm going to bring him up here.

We're good?

You're good.

Okay.

Good evening, Mr.

President, members of the Common Council, Mayor Elves, and members of the public.

I want to begin by saying how truly honored and grateful I am to be standing before you tonight after previously serving on the Zoning Commission for 27 months.

It means a great deal to have been reconsidered for this role and to have the confidence of Republican Town Committee, which unanimously voted to submit my application for your approval this evening.

Serving on the zoning commission is not just a position, it is a responsibility.

The Commission plays a critical role in shaping the future of Danbury, particularly as we continue to implement our plan of conservation and development and thoughtfully integrate the transit-oriented development district.

These tools are essential in guiding smart growth, encouraging responsible development, strengthening our neighborhoods, and improving quality of life for all who live and work here.

This is also an especially exciting time to serve.

Is what makes this work meaningful.

Losing my seat seriously.

I'm sorry, losing my seat in the last election was a humbling experience.

I took the position very seriously, never missed a meeting, and always approached the work with the preparation and respect for the process.

While the outcome was not what I had hoped for, the support I received afterward meant a great deal to me.

I would like to sincerely thank Mayor Elves, Chairman Ted Hadid, as well as Farley, Taylor, and Welleid for their encouragement, their kind words of the acknowledgement of my service, knowing that my time spent on the Commission was valued, and that I was seen as a contributing and resourceful member, reaffirmed my desire to continue to continue serving the city.

If I am fortunate, which you have already approved tonight, I could assure you that it will continue to bring the same level of dedication, professionalism, and collaboration to do the role, and I will use my experience and abilities to help the Commission stay in a progressive course, one that balances growth, sustainability, and quality of life so that Danbury can continue to be the best it can be.

Thank you again for your consideration and for the opportunity to serve.

Bob, come up.

Bob, come up here.

We're going to swear you in right away and put you to work.

We're going to swear you in right away if you come up right up here.

You gotta go around the other side.

You can bring your wife.

I don't know if she wants to come.

Yeah, that's her first, not me.

You can come here.

I got it.

You okay with this, right?

You're okay with this right.

Please raise your right hand.

You, Robert Botello, having been appointed to the zoning commission of the City of Danbury.

Do you solemnly swear that you will discharge the duties of said office according to law?

So help you, God.

We do.

Congratulations.

You're official now.

Item number 10, please.

Communication appointment to the Richter Park Authority.

Dear City Council members, I hereby submit for your confirmation the appointment of the following individual to serve on the Stanley, Alaska Richter Park Memorial Authority.

Lucia Giordano.

Mr.

Giordano has been a proud Danbury resident for the past ten years and is currently serving his second term on the Danbury City Council, representing the seventh ward.

Before joining the council, he spent 40 years in music production and sound engineering, building a distinguished career in this industry.

An avid hiker and birder, Mr.

Giordano has explored the Richter Park Trails more than 500 times, reflecting his deep connection to Danbury's natural spaces.

His commitment to youth and the arts is evident in his previous service on the board of directors of the Western Connecticut Youth Orchestra.

Given his passion for the outdoors, local trails, and the arts, he will make an excellent member of the authority.

Respectfully submitted, Roberto Alves, Mayor.

Thank you, Council.

What's your pleasure?

Councilwoman Gibbore.

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor.

I move 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 January first, 2029.

Motion is made seconded by half the council as well.

I think Councilman Salvatore was the first one there.

Uh Council, any remarks?

Any remarks?

Any remarks?

See none, I will try your minds.

All those Councilwoman Faye.

Yes.

Um just a question.

Who's vacancy?

Will Mr.

Giordano have that?

We'll go through me through uh Farley Santos has been working with the authority on that.

Okay, thank you.

Um technically the whole board right now is up for uh replacement because there has not been other appointments made to this board.

Uh we've been trying to clear through that process since we've came uh the mayor came into office.

Uh but right now Judy Grindsman is uh resigning, and therefore we are replacing that person.

There's one person out of that whole board.

Yep.

One person from Rajay Eraquis, his uh term ends in May.

That's the only person that is not uh currently up for replacement.

The whole board is up or appointment.

Thank you.

Council, any other remarks?

Any other remarks?

Any other remarks?

See none, I will chow your minds.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

The ayes have it.

Vote is so order.

Congratulations, Lou.

Councilman, you are you are one of Danbury's best kept secrets, I think.

One day we'll read your discography, and people are jaws are gonna drop, I think.

Guys got platinum records.

Councilman, thank you, and congratulations, and thank you for signing up for more work.

Item number 11 is on consent.

Item number 12, please.

Communication, application for sewer extension, time extension, five Forest Avenue.

Council, what is your pleasure?

Councilwoman Robinson.

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor.

I move to receive the communication and send this to the City Engineer and Planning Commission for a report back.

Motion made, seconded by Councilman Frank Salvatore to send for a report back.

Council any remarks?

Any remarks?

Any remarks?

See none, I'll share your minds.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Any opposed?

The ayes have it.

The vote is so ordered.

Item number 13, please.

Resolution and report.

The Connecticut City and Town Development Act.

Councilman Peter Buzade for the minutes.

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor.

I move we waive a reading of the public hearing minutes as all members have copies and copies are on file in the legislative assistance office.

Seconded by Councilman Frank Salvatore.

Any remarks on the minutes?

Any remarks?

Any remarks?

See none, I'll try your minds.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Any opposed?

Eyes have it.

Council, what is your pleasure?

Councilwoman Gardner.

Thank you, Your Honor.

Um I move to receive the communication and adopt the resolution as presented.

Seconded by Councilman Frank Salvatore.

Council, any remarks?

Councilwoman Faye.

Thank you, Your Honor.

I have many concerns about the city adopting the Connecticut City and Town Development Act as written in our resolution, which adopts 23 statutes.

First, I don't believe that the City of Danbury is a distressed city.

And I sat through the Chamber of Commerce State of the City address where Your Honor stated this is what a confident city looks like.

And this is a successful city.

But tonight, this resolution seeks to categorize the entire city as distressed, which is what must happen under this act.

The statute refers to deteriorated or deteriorating conditions, and under any interpretation of that language, we do not qualify.

This resolution, through this resolution, we're not adopting any post-issuance monitoring procedures.

Nothing to ensure compliance to identify or correct any violations of the Act.

Any beneficiary of this act does not need to hire city residents, does not need to engage city contractors.

They can hire out of state, they can hire anyone that they want to build these facilities, to work in these facilities.

How is the city gonna identify which projects to finance?

There should be rules.

But there's still a variety of problems when projects are unsuccessful and the bonds face actual or potential defaults.

We could have bad headlines.

We're definitely gonna have litigation expenses, and commitment of substantial staff time, all with no potential for reimbursement.

The city doesn't have the staff or the resources to commit to the administration of this conduit program.

We can't even perform credit underwriting or monitor the compliance.

Further, the act, it's Connecticut General Statute 7-489.

It allows for the development project to be a tax-exempt property, which means whatever amount of revenue that we may gain being a conduit bondholder, we could lose in real estate property taxes.

And further, the city can delegate its authority under the statute to any agency or nonprofit to act.

And under those circumstances, it's extremely alarming that we've now given some other entity the authority to put a resolution in front of the city council for the step two to decide who's gonna who's gonna be the beneficiary of that.

We've delegated our role at that point.

I think if this was a beneficial act, it would be utilized more frequently in the past 41 years.

And not only when an entity approaches a city at a town seeking a better interest rate.

I really query where is the transparency here.

Why aren't we sending this to a referendum?

The Act allows for a discretionary referendum.

It's Connecticut General Statute 7-485.

Why don't we let the taxpayers, the people who are going to be impacted by this, weigh in on this?

And I think the way that this has been done has not been fully vetted out.

I think there's too many pitfalls and it's not thoroughly thought through.

Thank you, Councilman.

I'll address some of that a statement and then go further remarks just so we can answer the questions thoroughly.

Um the council can vote yes or no on this.

Uh and the people who voted for you at an election on an election referendum can then you know vote on us again and say they liked our decisions or not.

They vote on you to vote for them.

Um this is I know the statute allows for that referendum, but I stand adamantly that I I believe that the folks will get behind this one.

Uh item 14, which is on the agenda when you go after, um, nothing gets approved.

Again, that's right there for you.

Nothing gets approved without coming to you at this council while we're here.

So you will have a say on that.

There's transparency on the projects.

Um in terms of this project, um again.

Singular projects, right?

We look at this one project time.

If it's a project that's bad for the community, you can say no.

Uh it's a property that is not developed.

So we're not losing revenue, maybe on a little bit of the land, but it is going to create jobs.

I can't speak for them, but I am aware that they're talking to a local developer who would then have local jobs and help support our local economy on the build-out.

I don't know if they finalize that.

That is between them.

But they will create jobs here.

So again, on a project by project basis, this is still a home run for the community here.

Uh and I I remember the speech I gave very well there.

I believe Danbury is uh making progress uh that it needed to make uh due to some of the last few decades here.

Uh but I will stand by this, a zero amount of blight and no number of unemployment is okay with me.

So if there's an opportunity to address that with things that are in state statute and still protect our residents, as this does by coming to you, uh we're gonna be unapologetically forward as we are with this.

Uh so I appreciate the concerns.

I think these have been um brought out and talked about for a long time, but this is a project by project uh basis on approval.

We're not approving anybody to come in and do this again.

This is the right project for this.

I think we can encourage this one.

I hope the council votes yes on this.

And if somebody proposes this afterwards, the council then has the ability to say this is not a bad this is not a good project for Danbury.

Um that's where, you know, that that's where we are with that.

So I appreciate the thoughts.

I appreciate uh folks being a little hesitant on it, but we we have talked and debated on this for so long.

Um to bring something up that because one of the language says distressed, do I believe Danbury is distressed?

Uh again, I believe that no amount of blight is okay.

That's why we're doing a legal apartment organization.

Why we don't we do?

Do I believe we are okay with unemployment numbers?

No.

We have one of the lowest in the state.

Proud of it, and we've dropped it a lot.

We can do better.

Um that's why this is good.

That's why I encourage everybody to support it.

Uh and again, stand wholeheartedly behind us.

Um Council, any other remarks?

Councilman Hawley?

Thank you, Honor.

So I was a member of this uh ad hoc committee, and uh first I just want to thank uh Chair Perch, uh sorry.

Chair Burson, Councilwoman Robinson of the second award for her leadership through those two meetings, as well as former councilman Emil Bazay for his contributions to the discussion, his uh actual last vote as a councilman was on this resolution, and I appreciate his engagement through the process.

Um I think some of the discussion uh throughout the ad hoc process and what we kind of saw on the dias tonight is drifting away from the narrow question that's before us, because we are just being asked to decide if Danbury meets the eighth statutory requirements given to us to create this new conduit bonding process to support community and nonprofit-led projects.

Voting in favor for this resolution tonight is not a vote to use the conduit bonding, nor is it an approval for any specific project.

It is the first step in establishing the baseline, and then from there, a separate legislative framework would be needed to be put in place for each of the projects on a case-by-case, project by project basis over the next five years, because this expires in five years.

And with each of those steps requiring a vote by this body.

So I'm supporting this resolution because we clearly meet the eight requirements.

I checked them off in our uh little ad hoc meeting, and I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

So that way we can move forward and fully address many of the thoughtful questions that were raised throughout the ad hoc process that are more applicable to later portions of this process.

So uh I urge my c fellow colleagues to vote in favor for this so we can continue the discussion.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilman Holly.

Councilwoman Robinson.

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor.

Um I I do want to address some of the concerns that have been made um prior to the ad hoc, and I think that having our second ad hoc really helped.

Unfortunately, I don't think we had as much attendance, the second one where all these questions were answered.

Um but I think that we need to be very careful about the absolutist language that we keep hearing that if we adopt the statute that that means that we're acknowledging that this is distressed city.

Um adopting this act is not labeled the city of Danbury is distressed.

Um the statutory language basically is is used to adopt this tool.

It is not created designation, um, it doesn't trigger state oversight, um, and it certainly doesn't define who we are as a city of Danbury.

I think it simply simply acknowledges what exists everywhere, um, that the city is not perfect and having tools to help address some of the things that we cannot address through the normal market is actually strength that we need to um bolster rather than run away from.

Um I think that some of the concerns about how rarely this act has been used, if it has been, I believe about 12 other cities that have used this act, every single one of them has been successful.

Um it has this is basically implicated and utilized when there's no other commercial or business opportunities for something to follow the normal protocol for um for financing, and also must have a public benefit that is significant significant enough to call into the act itself.

Um I I think that the concern about any abuse of authority is, and I think the mayor hit on it.

Um we were elected to be able to make reasonable and responsible and meaningful decisions based on the information in front of us.

Um has to go through a risk versus benefit analysis.

Every decision that we make involves some level of risk.

Our job cannot eliminate that risk completely.

We showed in the ad hoc, we've talked to our legal advisors, we talked to the financial advisors, the legal and financial risk to the city of Danbury for accepting this act and adopting it, adopting it and considering it as an opportunity or a tool for financing as a bond conduit are incredibly limited.

Um more limited risk than I think anything we probably see on a regular basis.

If we want to go down the rabbit hole of what if the what if we do agree that the Danbury Proton, which is a a cancer fighting um nonprofit, if they are the ones that might be the only entity that comes forth in the five years that this act exists.

Um if we want to review that and put certain ramifications or put conditions on that, that's our within our authority to do so.

But the public benefit has to outweigh any potential risk, and the risk of accepting this act is very small.

Um I do want to just say the other thing that wasn't mentioned previously is there is a market, there's a bond market out there that helps corral any concerns about this going off the rails.

If we want to put in a car dealership or something that doesn't fit within this, the bond market won't support it.

This is a very specialized, these are not general bonds.

This is a very specialized bond market for these bonds.

And if we just make irrational decisions that don't fit the purpose of this, then they're not marketable, then it won't happen.

Um I I think we just kind of need to rein in that a little bit.

I we in our ad hoc, we talked about charter authority, we talked about legal risk, we talked about putting parameters around when we had conversations directly with uh projects that came in front of us.

And I think we've done a really good job from a due diligence perspective.

And I don't really see how this isn't an easy decision, honestly.

Um I think it would be a really great thing for the city to be able to bring something in that can't be financed another way, and to say that we allowed something such as the Proton Center to come into Danbury when every other city was afraid of this.

So thank you very much.

I hope that the Council supports it.

Thank you, Councilman Robinson.

Council, any other remarks?

Any other remarks?

Councilman Henry?

I believe this resolution creates inconsistencies in our City Charter, which is our Constitution.

Specifically, this supersedes the City Charter specifically to the issuance of bonds and notes not to exceed $3 million in any fiscal year without the ordinance authorizing such issue and shall be submitted for referendum for public vote.

During the ad hoc report committee bond council and corporation council confirmed that the resolution does supersede the city charter, its limitations, specifically the amount.

In my opinion, the resolution is not ready to present the act as it stands.

Therefore, I cannot support this resolution.

That's just a statement then.

Okay.

And I was correct in your uh observation that it does supersede the city charter.

Right.

Thank you.

But we're not acting outside of law.

Maybe say.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor.

Um to our corporation council, if I may.

Yes, please.

So the resolution doesn't supersede the council.

It's the it's the statute that does.

Is it isn't the statute preempts the charter.

That's correct.

And don't all statutes more or less preempt the charter.

Well that's that's uh that's a loaded question.

I I would say many.

Okay, in this case, we are dealing with a statute that has explicit language that if the city adopts this act through this resolution, the the powers given to the city under the Act supersede the powers and limitations of the Charter, as Councilman Henry pointed out.

And and if I may, just for follow-up question, a different point related to this, is typically the bonds that the City of Danbury issues, the non-conduit bonds, are obligations of the taxpayers of the City of Danbury, isn't that correct?

Correct.

And and we have a charter process for that, do we not?

Correct.

Okay.

And these bonds, unlike the regular bonds that the City of Danbury issues for its own revenue sources, um, these are conduit bonds, and they're the obligation of somebody else, are they not?

Correct.

So our taxpayers aren't on the hook for any of this.

Is that correct?

Yes, the statute makes that explicit.

Okay.

Thank you.

Um my last point is this is a tool.

It's a tool that the municipality can choose to use to attract development or to get development in various parts of the city.

Uh it's available to us for many years, decades.

The city has freely given out uh tax abatements to all sorts of projects all over Danbury that cost the city real dollars in every way.

This is unique.

This does not cost the city real dollars for those projects that qualify.

And and and I think it's a tool that's available to us, and I think that we would be remiss if we did not try to use it uh and and um I fully support it.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilman.

Council, any other remarks?

Any remarks?

Councilman Garner, you got a statement.

I'm sorry, Councilman Chinese.

Thank you, Your Honor.

I I too do have some concerns, as was stated with Councilwoman uh Fay earlier.

However, I which is one of my major concerns within necessarily deals with the resolution itself, the act itself from the State of Connecticut, dealing back to mid-70s when things were much different than they are today.

And I do hope our State delegation, which isn't here this evening, actually take this under advisement to actually go to Hartford and to change the actual statute to its more to today's times.

Because I I don't necessarily agree with the resolution how it's written.

I think it's kind of misleading in a way.

But I do believe in the end result of the conduit bonding could be a good tool for the City of Denver.

I think we could, if it's done responsibly, I think it could be used correctly, and that can help development of our city as we move forward.

I just have an issue with the resolution as it's currently stated.

However, with that, I will be supporting the resolution on the fact that it does give us a better tools to move forward.

And I do hope our delegation that's here this evening and our delegation that may be listening that they will go to Hardwood to actually change this to proper language that better deals with today's times.

Thank you, Your Honor.

Thank you, Councilman.

Councilman, any other remarks?

Any other remarks?

Councilman Gardner?

Thank you, Your Honor.

Yeah, first I want to state that I think this is a very exciting uh resolution, only in that we often talk about how Danbury might need more development, but with any sort of economic development, you do need funding sources.

This will provide the city a funding source or at least a tool in the toolbox to try to generate development.

It doesn't put the city at risk.

And I think the fact that it hasn't been brought to the council before is not reflective of this administration, but more reflective of previous administrations.

And I also the points that uh Councilman uh Holly Robinson made made, um, I want to add to the fact of the guardrails that are already built in.

Um, first, as Councilwoman Robinson mentioned, is the bond market, that the market has to bear this, the concept of this idea.

So I think that is a very good uh guardrail.

Uh secondly, it's it's a five-year term.

Um so generally a lot of business development that does take years to develop.

So the five-year window isn't going to be crowded with a whole bunch of potential development prospects.

That's what I anticipate.

Um then ultimately, as Councilman Hawley mentioned, the City Council makes the approval of the project that it's going the city um will act as a conduit for.

Um as far as the term distressed, um, people can look at that objectively or subjective subjectively.

Um personally, um I think that we we live in a city where there are overflow shelters on cold nights, that we have overflow in our shelters.

We have people waiting in lines for food, and we have hundreds of school children who live within a mile of schools, because we're not bussing them to schools.

They have to walk to schools.

And I know, particularly in the fifth ward, this puts them in the street as they're headed to Immaculate High School or South Street School.

And I'm sure in the sixth ward Park Avenue has the same problem.

So as long as we don't have sidewalks that accommodate our children who are forced to walk to school, we have people waiting in line for food, uh, unhoused residents.

We we can claim that we have some distress in the city.

Um lastly, um, I just want to mention too that I don't think there's a cause for a referendum because um there is no impact to the taxpayers in undertaking this.

There are some possibilities, but again, those guardrails, I think, will um will make this a very exciting prospect as a development tool for the city of Danbury, and I'll be supporting it.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilman.

Council, any other remarks?

Councilman Rotello.

Thanks, Your Honor.

Uh we're looking at a little Wall Street leisure domain tonight, the uh delta between a borrower and an issuer.

The borrowers want as little interest as they can get away with them.

Uh lenders want as much as they can get.

This is an attempt to squeeze that together to make the borrowers and the uh lenders a little bit more competitive, which is a good thing.

It's a good thing.

Uh, putting aside why this statute was originally created in the 1970s when cities were aflame, we all not all of us, but some of us are old enough to remember what happened in Hartford and Waterbury and Norwalk and Bridgeport and communities like that that were immorally, if not a legally redlined uh when projects coming in could not get money because the banks simply would not even consider lending money to those communities.

And this was an attempt to make the borrowing costs a little bit more competitive, so somebody else might make that jump and step in and start building things and bootstrap these cities.

This is not something that is needed in Danbury, it may never have been needed in Denver.

It's certainly not needed now.

Doesn't mean it's not a bad thing.

It just means it's not needed.

The original thrust of the statute and where we are today, some 50 years later is changed so dramatically and the rest of Connecticut is probably not needed there either, but it's certainly not needed here in Danbury.

But putting all that aside, uh two different philosophical or procedural tracks were aired tonight.

One is saying that if a if a um a participant, not this resolution, but if a participant piggybacking or enjoying or applying under the uh umbrella of this resolution were to be granted um the approval, uh they wouldn't have to pay property tax.

And we heard uh the council president say tonight that there is no cost of the City of Danbury.

The City of Danbury has historically been handing out property tax breaks, which cost the city money, but under this uh ordinance, they wouldn't be able to do that.

They wouldn't be doing that, and this wouldn't cost the City of Tax uh Danbury City taxpayers any money at all.

But if you had, say, a I don't know, I am spitballing here, a hundred million dollar project on top of withdrawals.

In the sixth ward.

That would be expected to pay some two and a half million dollars a year in property taxes, but maybe they're not going to pay anything in property taxes, which would be a $25 million loss every 10 years.

So what I would like to hear tonight is which one of those things are true, or if it's like Schradender's Cat, both of them are.

That there may be situations where they pay property tax, and there may be situations where they don't pay property tax.

So before I vote on this, I would like to know if a project comes in in the sixth ward that's going to have uh an effect on the families and houses and residents that are living on that street, are we the city at least going to enjoy some revenue from that, or are they not, if if an ancillary downstream applicant were to come in?

And and and let's just keep one thing in focus.

That's an indirect benefit getting a project approved.

The direct benefit, the thing that we're discussing tonight, is somehow bridging the gap between borrowers and lenders.

That's what this does.

Everything else is an indirect uh offset.

But losing 25 million dollars in a 10-year period is a major indirect uh hit to the City of Danbury.

So if I could get an opinion on that through corporation counsel, I would appreciate that.

And if corporation counsel doesn't know, maybe we could find out downstream.

Thank you.

Thanks, Your Honor.

Please make sure the mic.

Pull your finger off.

Just touch it and pull back.

There it is.

Thank you.

I believe this is responsive to your question.

7498 of the general statute, the enabling statute expressly says development property may be tax exempt.

Any development property may be exempted.

May be exempt.

May be exempted from any property tax imposed by the municipality, provided that the municipality may enter into pilot agreements in lieu of taxes.

So it may, it's not required.

So if I may, does that vest the authority in the city or in the State?

Who gets to make that decision?

In my opinion, the City.

The City does.

Okay.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilman.

Councilman McFay?

I am sorry, just uh clarification through corporation counsel, if I could.

Megan?

It was on, sorry.

Sorry, I was in my way.

Um, the statutes, uh Connecticut Gender Statute 7-498, which says that it may be tax exempt.

This the Act requires the beneficiary of this act to be a nonprofit, correct?

I don't believe that uh we do have bond counsel here tonight, I believe.

Uh who may be able to do that.

Can you please answer that question?

This is uh attorney Keisha Palmer from uh Robinson and Cole.

Uh she is here tonight.

Uh Glenn Santoro was not able to make it.

But I believe she you're better equipped to answer that question.

Thank you.

Uh Chair.

Thank you.

Uh Keisha Palmer, Robinson and Cole, one State Street, Hartford.

Try to follow the instructions on the paper.

I am covering up with my.

No, it's okay.

You don't have to attend.

Thank you, Attorney Keisha.

Um, the Act doesn't require that the property be tax exempt, and it does give the city the authority to make um the designation as to whether it is going to enter into a pilot.

And I'm sorry, the follow-up question was I think um my question was whether the beneficiary of this act must be a registered 501c3.

So the beneficiary.

If we're issue if the city is issuing 501c3 bonds, then the user of the bonds, the beneficiary must be a 501 organization.

Correct?

If it's a 501c3, it it probably qualifies as a charitable institution.

Would be tax exempt under our real property taxes.

Under real property tax.

Okay.

Right.

Which is why case-by-case review.

But again, the beneficiary.

When you say beneficiary, we mean the developer.

The developer.

Yes, I am sorry, that's who I am referring to.

That again goes back to your inherent authority when you're when you're considering a project-by-project basis, you can weigh that determination.

Is it a 501c three?

Why not?

Is it better to have it as a tax uh subject to tax entity?

I don't know the answer to that.

But that's why you have the legislative discretion uh in considering the projects on a case-by-case basis.

Okay.

That answers my question.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you, attorney.

Councilwoman Robinson.

Hi, yes.

I I just thank you for um allowing me to speak again.

I I think that there are a lot of factors that would come into play more when we have an app actual applicant in front of us, right?

Because I think you know, there's certain things that we need to weigh in this.

It's even if it's if it's a piece of property that would not garner any other investment and it's sitting there getting zero dollars versus being able to collect or at least have some public benefit, access to health care, um, jobs or bringing in other business because people are coming to visit an entity.

I think that's something that we have to weigh when we have that particular project in front of us.

I think right here, right now, we're looking at the tool, the tool that allows us to consider if we will ever utilize this.

And if you look at the history of the State of Connecticut, anyone that's used it, is uh they are very narrow projects that cannot usually find any other financing because of the specificity in either the location or what it is they are trying to accomplish.

And the public interest and the public benefit benefit to the community is a huge factor in that determination.

So I think as we go back and forth as to what the tax dollars or what value that this would bring to the city, it is very hard to make that assessment right now because we don't know if we're talking about a property that would otherwise garner a certain amount of dollars or not.

Um I think we just want to stay on point that this is solely about the tool itself and giving us the opportunity to hear from maybe potentially Danbury Proton Center to utilize the tool.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilman Robinson.

Council, any other remarks?

Any other remarks?

Councilman Perkins.

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor.

Um just uh follow up on some things that have been said already.

Uh you know, I I I I get the whole bond conduit thing and you know the the economic development.

I also agree with um many of the things that uh Councilwoman Fay said.

Uh you know, usually when we are presented with these things, we we we get a presentation of the good, we get a presentation of the bad.

We we didn't really get any of those types of challenges presented to us.

We didn't get any stories about, you know, folks in these different municipalities who things didn't go so well for, but we did get a you know, some some information on or at least statements that that things didn't go bad.

So that's uh uh and for me that's a crossroads.

Um we're already talking about a a loss economic benefit right out of the box because I think that you know this part part of the seal is to be structured as a nonprofit.

So there goes all over the real estate taxes.

Right right from the start.

Um I'm just trying to see the economic benefit for the city.

Uh I heard there might be uh allocation of funds to make the whole bond work one time per year possibly, but all the other benefits, I think it just goes right away with the nonprofit status.

Um someone provide a little bit of clarification on that for me, please.

Questions directed that the question is.

Who, Councilman Perkins?

Economic development.

Well, I'm sorry.

Do you mind restating your question a bit more clearly?

It was um I I believe we are in a posture right now, or at least heading toward it where we will lose real estate tax revenue because of uh tax status of the potential um petitioner or developer of this space.

Is that current land property taxes you are saying, right?

Well, I I think we're gonna be able to apply for as a nonprofit status.

Absolutely.

There is nothing built there right now, so there is a minimal amount there.

Yes, you are right about that.

But I think what needs to be reiterated again and again, which members of the council have done already is the ancillary benefits that creates for our city.

People coming into our city, staying at our hotels, going to our restaurants, right?

Going to the mall.

I think that that all creates more economic benefit.

But then in addition to that, there are going to be people working at this facility.

Those are jobs.

Those are health benefits and access to for folks that live right here in Danbury.

By the way, this is going to be one of the two facilities in the State of Connecticut.

And so we are not going to have competition from other cities.

We're attracting people here.

There are going to be those ancillary benefits.

So either we can have a hill that has nothing on it or something that's attracting people to Danbury.

Thank you.

I'm going to just jump in here.

I've allowed the conversation to go because this has been a passionate project.

But we're not here to talk about proton or not.

It's about the issue in front of us.

But at the end of the day, not a lot of folks, that's why the questions are going in there.

But let's just remember there there is nothing there.

There will be something there.

The pilot will be more than what's getting paid for what the nothing is there is.

And at the end of the day, let's just get back to the matter in front of us.

And presentations have been made.

This conversation has been talked about, debated in meetings in ad hoc going back and forth.

Somebody throw me a number here, because this is one of the things I think that we have opined on more than anything else.

So I I just f fan um blows my mind that there's still more open questions when there have been so many meetings to ask these questions.

So let's get back on topic here, talk about item number 13, the resolution.

Um and then after we can vote on number 14 that I'm sorry, the resolution on number 14 after 13, where you guys will then see that everything comes back in front of you before we approve or say yes or no.

So counsel, are there any councilman Salvatore?

Yeah, you you stole some of my thunder, but I need to remind everybody that you know we're just voting on the tool to put into the toolbox here.

We're we're doing I I complain to my wife.

I hate playing the what if game, okay?

Um from the beginning, because of the way the letter was structured, we called this the Proton Bill.

But you know what?

This is the City and Town Act for us to be able to have something in our toolbox to do good things for the City of Danbury.

Okay?

Yes, the first thing coming up is a health care organization.

Yes, they're probably a nonprofit.

There's nothing there.

Okay?

But what about down the line?

You want to play what if?

There could become a warehouse that becomes vacant that a developer wants to come and do something in the town and wants to use this act.

We can play the what if game all night, okay?

But you can't play what if until we pass the ordinance.

And right now, I think we should pass the ordinance.

Councilman Ortello?

For the second time, and I appreciate it.

Look, you know, we're not choir boards here.

We we know why we're here.

Potential development came to Danbury and at the last minute a bond salesman got in touch with them and said, listen, I can give you a break on a bond.

If the City of Danbury wants to pass this thing, and that's why we're here.

If it wasn't for Proton, we would not be discussing this.

This has been a live bill for 45 years.

It's never been in front of the city.

That's why we're here.

This is a car dealership cement plan on Worcester Heights.

We wouldn't even be talking about this.

So that's why we're here.

And I, you know, I mean, let's it it it's great to say that this is not about that, but that is why we are here tonight.

And we can discuss that why we're here tonight next month when that actually comes up.

But that's why we're having this discussion.

Let's just get that out of the way and let's get it real here.

The second thing is uh you we've had a lot of time to talk about this, and the chairwoman said that uh these these issues were vented and they were discussed, and they were.

But they weren't addressed.

And this is an issue.

We wanted many people wanted this to go to a referendum.

It was ignored.

Many people wanted backstop.

They were ignored.

They were discussed.

We appreciate that.

It was nice.

We got to talk about it.

But nothing happened.

There has been no change in this resolution since it arrived two months ago.

None at all.

Nothing was modified, nothing was changed, nothing was accommodated.

Uh there might be one little thing of comma here or something like that.

But the the the issues that people had, these are serious, responsible people with robust issues with this particular profound change to how the City of Danbury does business.

Found themselves shut out of the discussion.

There were no accommodations made at all.

So yes, it's true that these have been discussed, and you can, if you want to, say they have been discussed ad infinitum, but nothing came of those discussions leading up to the vote tonight.

So let's get real about that one, too.

If the people who are supporting this wanted it that badly, they could have made some accommodations, but none were made.

And that's why we are having this discussion.

There are people here that want development in the city.

I want development in this city, non-residential development in this city so badly, it breaks my heart.

My entire 30-year career, whether on the zoning commission or on the City Council has been trying to steer Danbury away from runaway residential development into something that takes the burden off those mom and pop homeowners and puts them on commercial and industrial development, building owners of which can defray those costs to customers, many of whom come from out of state.

And when you talk about housing problems in Danbury, let's get real about that.

Danbury is the nexus for the region.

We will never solve Danbury's housing problems because we are drawing people from outside of Danbury on a continuous basis.

Councilman Chinazi lives on a street that had on the other end of it 40-year deed restricted 280 G housing, and it was they were immediately filled up with not just people from outside of Danbury, those houses were the beautiful houses, great neighborhood.

Love the neighborhood, love the people in it.

Filled up with people not just from outside of Danbury, but from outside of Connecticut.

People have said you cannot build highways big enough to eliminate congestion.

You cannot build enough housing in Danbury to eliminate a housing crisis because the more housing we build in Danbury, the more housing problems we solve for New York State.

Go into the reserve.

I approve 2,000 units of housing in the reserve.

It is almost impossible to find somebody in the reserve outside of maybe Ardy and Finaldee and a couple of people like that who are from Danbury.

When they first moved in, they were all from New York.

You cannot, when you're in a border town like Connecticut, and you border a community that has sky-high uh uh housing costs, and you build housing that's less expensive with less taxes, you are going to, by definition, draw people in into and they will out-compete your own local residents.

So it's extremely difficult to build residential housing that will take the burden off the people actually living in Danbury.

So I have been a major proponent of trying to do something else, do an end run around that by building enough non-residential property that we take the DAC, the tax burden off of those people and make what what housing that we do have a little bit more competitive.

I believe me, nobody in this room tonight supports commercial developments and creative financing more than me.

But this particular bill had genuine concerns by people in this body.

And as far as I am concerned, those concerns were heard but not addressed.

And that's an issue that I have.

Thank you, Your Honor.

Thank you, Councilman.

Go ahead.

Go ahead, Councilwoman.

Go ahead, please.

Well, let me be fair real quick.

Has anybody who has not asked a question?

Councilman Koala, thank you for your patience, sir.

Sorry, Councilwoman, I just want to be fair to them.

All right.

Let's talk about that, Councilman.

It's not so much a question.

It's more it's more of a comment.

Um I keep it short because everybody has has stated their positions on it.

I'm all for looking at different tools for the toolbox to help the City of Danbury.

I'm all for that.

The biggest problem I have with this is that our taxpayers don't have a choice for their voices to be heard.

And without going to a referendum for each individual project that should come before us, the vote comes to us.

And I'm sorry for those people that are out there paying taxes every day, for their voices not to be heard is a problem for me.

So that's why I'll be voting against it.

Thank you, Councilman.

Councilwoman Robinson and then Councilman Laffinhouse.

Yeah, I just wanted to follow up and thank you for allowing me to speak one more time.

I I feel like we did hear everybody out.

We had an ad hoc meeting that went, I believe, an hour and a half long.

Um we listened to everybody in the room, including ex-fico members.

We took all of those questions back, um, considered if we wanted to change the resolution, um, talk to bond council, had our finance department in the room, we had our corporation council in the room, we rescheduled a second ad hoc committee meeting to come back and address those concerns and to go over each one of those concerns, ad nauseum, and the there was maybe one or two people that showed up to the second ad hoc meeting.

Um, and I believe there was probably at least 20 there for the first one.

So I I understand that people are worried, and I think the biggest concern is oh the city council is gonna go off the rails and do whatever they want, and we're giving them too much power.

This is a very, very finite project that would meet these parameters for this.

And I think we we all of the what ifs, all of the what are the facts and circumstances around what project would go through this, and I understand the thing about having people heat be heard.

We have a public hearing, we have public comment, we have people who are interested in what's going on with this, we give them the facts, it comes in front of the city council, and I think we're all adult enough in this room to look at the facts and circumstances of a proposed project in a meaningful way with what power has been given to us.

So I I mean I I I know we we've talked about this for a while, but I just want to stay focused on it's a tool.

It's not taking anything off the rails, it is specific bonds, it is not general bonds that are taxpayer funded.

Um this is something that we can utilize for a very special project.

Um and I hope that everyone just considers that that we're only talking about the act itself today, and anything that comes up as a potential project will definitely take a lot more conversation, and we can talk about the facts then.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilman.

Councilman Laughinghouse.

Um I'm just gonna kind of reinforce some of the things that were were said and um you know, kind of add some of uh of my thoughts in regard to the ad hocs that I attended, uh specifically second one, just kind of referring back to my my notes.

I understand the referendum uh concerns and you know the the main concern or in regards to why I feel referendum wouldn't be needed is the city's really has no liability as it relates to these bonds.

Um from a referendum standpoint, if the city was gonna bear some responsibility to these funds, I can understand going back to the taxpayers to ask for their vote, but in this situation, the city bears no liability to these funds.

Um the second point is and there are a lot of questions that were asked as a result of the indemnification for our responsibility.

When we go out to the the conduit bonding, there's very from a city standpoint.

The indemnification, we have ultimate indemnification.

If the bond issuer they default on it, we're not responsible for it.

There may be some legal fees and things of that nature that we were responsible for or that we may have to recoup at the end of the day, but ultimately the bond and the issuer, the funds from that standpoint are not our responsibility.

It's ultimately the bank's responsibility to go back and collect on those funds.

Am I correct in those assumptions and those those facts?

Um for those reasons alone, um, you know, in the last the indemnification, uh the fact that you know we're ultimately not liable for those funds.

I am gonna vote in support of these.

Um I just wanted to share that.

Thank you, Councilman.

Council, any other remarks?

Any other remarks?

Any other remarks?

Councilman Gartner?

I'm sorry.

Thank you.

So is there a second?

Seconded by Councilman Cheryl Wallace Smith.

We're all call vote on calling the question.

Uh vote, please.

Cool.

Holly.

Well, there's a vote to call the question.

No, I just want to be very I just want to make sure everybody knows what they're voting on.

So who are you on the case?

Cool.

Well, Coal O is No.

Okay.

Holly.

No.

Salvatore.

No.

No.

Gardner.

Faye.

We've voted on calling questions.

So it ends discussion and we vote on the matter in fact.

That means you can't discuss it anymore.

Yeah, it ends discussion and moves on to the vote.

Henry.

Wallace Smith.

If this is to end the discussion?

Yes.

Spain Reichel?

Yeah.

Giordano?

Yes.

Jabor?

Yeah.

Rotello?

No.

Chinese?

No?

Okay.

Dwayne Perkins?

No.

Britton?

Oh, sorry.

McAllister.

Robinson.

Laughing House.

Dennis Perkins.

And just for the new council members procedurally, that's uh that would need a two-thirds majority to pass.

Six.

Seven, yes.

The vote fails.

Council, are there any remarks?

Councilman Chinese?

Thank you, Ron.

Just a few good questions to corporation council, if I may.

So the resolution itself still allows us to send something to our referendum if we if we choose to send one on future bonds for future projects.

So we can still do that.

So this resolution still allows us to do that if we have to do that.

Nothing in this resolution precludes you from when you are entertaining a bond resolution from deciding to send that to referendum.

That's within your discussion.

Right.

And that's what I thought.

The second question, as I was just reading it here, the five years.

Okay.

Is that a mandatory five years?

Or can this council a year from now saying you want to get rid of the resolution?

Could we do so?

Because it says shall be effective.

Well.

It should.

I believe the the at the committee meeting, bond council noted that it's it's up to five years, but you could terminate it earlier if you desire.

So the fact that it says shall be effective, we can terminate it a year from now, two years from now, as we so choose.

That's true.

Thank you, Your Honor.

Thank you, Councilman Shanice.

Yes, sir.

Okay, through you to uh uh Dan.

Did you say precludes?

Nothing in this resolution precludes the council from the nothing in this resolution that you are voting on tonight precludes the council from later in considering the a bond resolution, which is next on your agenda, from deciding to send that resolution to a representative.

So in other words, just so we're clear, the council could during the application process decide to send that to a referendum.

Yes.

Thank you.

Do you have a question?

If I'm just to continue, I'm not particularly concerned whether we I am concerned about whether we send this to a referendum or not.

And I think I think that we're missing the vote here.

I think the voters of Danbury should have for a change of this import, the ability to make that decision.

But it's much more important as far as I'm concerned to be able to have the authority, the ability to send the cards.

I'm not sure.

Can you just speak a little clear in topic?

I'm concerned, but I'm not that concerned that the uh taxpayers will not under this resolution have the ability to decide this for themselves at a referendum.

I think, however, it is much more important that they have the ability and that the council have the authority to give them that ability to make a decision on a particular project on a case-by-case basis.

That I think is important, and I'm glad to hear that the resolution in the statute does not preclude us from doing that.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilman Salah.

Council, are there any other remarks?

Councilman Giordano?

Sorry, I don't want to make this any longer than it needs to be, but we're here for.

Well, it to me it's just a very simple, you know, risk versus reward, and I think that the reward is far outweighs the risk, so I'm supporting it.

Council, any other remarks?

Any other remarks?

Any other remarks?

See none, I'll try your minds.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Any opposed?

After that.

One opposed?

Three.

So we have Mike Coello, Candace Faye, and Mike Henry.

Vote is so ordered.

Thank you.

Item number 14, please.

Resolution authorizing the issuance and sale of revenue bonds series 2026 bonds not to exceed 100 million.

Council, it's your pleasure.

Councilman Salvatore.

I move to receive the communication and send this to an ad hoc consisting of representatives from Corporation Council, Finance, Bond Council, Mayor's Office, and other departments as requested.

Is there a second?

Seconded by Councilwoman Gartner.

Thank you.

Council, are there any remarks?

Any remarks?

Any remarks?

See none, I will try your minds.

All those in favor, single by saying aye.

Aye.

The ayes have it.

And uh this one we do need a committee here, correct, Frank.

No.

We're all set.

I'm sorry.

Well, because we did the second threw me off there.

The ad hoc will comprise of Councilman Ryan Hawley in the chair, Councilman Lu Giordano, and Councilman Mike Henry.

Your Honor.

May I interrupt?

Um back to agenda item number 13.

Procedurally, if we moved to call the question and that failed, how did we then read and vote?

Well, we just continued the conversation.

We were continuing the remarks.

We in the discussion there was no discussion stopped for the vote.

So we just went back to the discussion.

Seven eyes don't mean two thirds.

Yeah.

There was no failed.

And then you decided not to do a poll vote.

Yeah, there was no I got mine in.

Satisfied answer.

Satisfied question, apologies.

Yes.

Okay.

Item number 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19 are on consent.

Item number 20, please.

Department reports.

Mr.

Mayor, I move that we waiver reading of the reports as all members have copies.

Copies are in file at the legislative assistance office as well and accept the reports as they're presented.

Motion is made, seconded by Councilman Diane LePine.

Council, are there any remarks or questions on the departmental reports?

Any remarks or questions, remarks or questions?

Councilman Giordano.

I have to call uh Chief Ridenhau to the President.

Good evening, everyone.

Great.

I just wanted to thank you for uh my request from the last uh meeting uh for uh the itemized uh um school bus stop sign violations.

And uh you know thank you for that.

And uh um also uh it's good news in a sense because uh the number went down by a significant amount from the first two months.

Yes.

Um hopefully it will continue to go down.

It's not uh while we take enforcement very seriously, it's not something that we want to continue at high rates, so hopefully those numbers will continue to go down.

Thank you very much for your efforts on this issue.

Well, I we have to thank the mayor's office uh for uh working with the company to uh to bring that here.

And uh, you know, we're just really working on the back end where we get the video as we take a look, make sure that there's a violation and issue the appropriate ticket.

Thank you both.

Council, any other questions or remarks?

Any other questions or remarks?

Council Member Teller.

Thank you, Your Honor.

I had the pleasure last month of watching democracy in action.

Um you know we passed an ordinance that uh uh automatically tagged violators for passing school buses.

And as automated enforcement goes, it's not a hundred percent.

So we have a process where where those uh violators that fall between the cracks or lose two things they fell between the cracks.

Uh have an opportunity to air their grievance and how the process worked.

And I had the uh honor, though actually the experience of watching that in action.

And our our man on the scene is Mike Sophranic, who is was here this evening.

I don't know if he's still here, but he just did an exemplary job.

The whole thing is recorded.

By the way, what I'm talking about is if you pass a school bus when the stop sign is out.

Uh a little movie is made, and and if the police determine that the violation was made, you're fine basically by mail 250 bucks.

But we do have an ability to appeal.

And we have we have dropped a lot of business into uh Mr.

Sofranic's lap.

And I have to tell you, I'm I'm a pretty patient guy, but I'm not that patient.

And had I been don't if you were ever thinking about appointing me, the guy who actually does this probably you might want to think twice.

Because I might have climbed over the table and solved it a different way.

But uh Mike, uh Mr.

Sofranic, I I just I really want to compliment you on how you handled that evening of very cranky constituents, some of whom were somewhat expansive as far as their responsibilities are concerned.

Other ones really were aggrieved parties, and rightly so.

And you handled everybody with a lot of patience and a lot of sensitivity.

And I recommend it's all videotape.

You can watch it and just sit there and I watch this and I marvel.

How can a human being have that kind of patience who's running around working in Danbury and not?

I don't know.

You know.

Can I really quickly have my moments?

Well, you may have your you may have your moments, uh Mike, but I didn't see any of them that night.

What I saw was somebody doing what I what I think what a taxpayer of the city of Danbury or the City of Danbury's size would hope would happen when they were faced with that situation.

It's what you hope would happen when you call Comcast or Frontier, or you call the post office, or you're at the DMV, but it rarely happens.

But it happened last month.

It happened right in this building, and I just want to thank you for your ability to do that.

And I think the people even the people who you decided were probably violators, I believe, because I talked to a couple of them who who didn't get, you know, who weren't weren't allowed to skate.

I think even they felt that the process was handled fairly.

And at the end of the day, if a constituent thinks they were handled fairly and equitably, they're going to be happy regardless of how the decision comes down.

So thank you again.

Thank you, Councilman.

Council, any other questions or remarks?

Councilman Laughinghouse.

Uh is Mr.

Day here.

He is.

So just checking in on water levels.

Yeah, the reservoir levels versus January for this time of year, we're still about 8% below normal.

Any follow-up, Councilman?

No concerns at 8% or anything.

Well, I mean, we we are uh if if we have a typical spring, we should come back.

You usually want to be uh close to what 95 to 100 percent come uh the end of May, June.

So we still have a little bit of time to play catch up here.

So everybody do whatever they can to wish for more ring, please.

Council, any other questions or remarks?

Any other questions or remarks?

Councilman Jamore.

I might pronounce that wrong.

I'm sorry.

Jabor, thank you.

I apologize.

Mr.

Nair, may I ask a question to Chief Ragenauer through you?

Please.

Um The Uniform Crime Report.

Details the numbers of various crimes.

That I must.

Thank you.

Details the number of various crimes that are listed, their totals.

I'm just asking if those are the crimes that's charged.

Those are the crimes reported.

And were charges filed in each one of these incidents?

Uh that I can't I can't answer uh for sure.

Um probably not, and all of those, those are the crimes that are reported, and we verify uh that a crime has been committed, but no, that doesn't necessarily reflect the arrest rates.

So those are crimes that are alleged to have been committed during the calendar year in which they are listed.

That is correct.

Thank you.

Mr.

Mayor, I would just like to note that the uniform crime report for 2024 lists 944 incidents of crimes that were or alleged crimes that were reported.

And this year our crime rate has decreased by almost 200 incidents to 755.

Yeah, thank you.

I'd like to commend our city.

I would like to commend our city for continuing to move the crime rate down in uh trajectory.

That continues to keep our community safe.

Thank you, Councilwoman.

Hopefully that number continues to go down every year.

We have a great police force that works that does a tremendous job and has been very community focused, and we're excited.

But I have to say that a lot of this doesn't occur without the support of the mayor and this council.

Uh you give us the tools and the resources we need to do the job, and we try to do the best we can to execute.

But I'd also uh like to commend our traffic division because our traffic enforcement has increased significantly and our accidents are down through November.

We're down three hundred and nearly three hundred and fifty accidents in in the city as well.

So you did a phenomenal job.

Thank you.

Council, any other questions or remarks?

Any other questions or remarks?

Any other questions or remarks?

Seeing none, I'll charge your minds.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Any opposed?

I have it.

The vote is so ordered.

I extend all committees and we'll entertain a motion to adjourn.

Sir second.

Seconded by Councilman Salvatore.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Have a good evening, everybody.