Okay, six o'clock.

Um, I'm gonna call this meeting to order.

Uh, my name's Andrea Gardner, I'm a city councilwoman for the fifth ward, and I'm chairing this ad hoc.

Um, this meeting is um regarding uh an appointment to the Richter Park Authority of Robert Brea to serve as a full member and as the required liaison for the Richter Association for the Arts.

And at this meeting, members of the ad hoc include um Councilman Lou Jordano and Councilwoman Candice Fay.

And also present is Pete Susinski, the chairman of the Richter Park.

I was unsure about how to say that last name, Pete.

That's like me to South Green.

And Robert Brian.

Of course, I thought so.

And Corporation Council, um, Councillor Tracy Norris is here, and liaison community economic development director, Farley Santos.

Um, so I'm gonna start with some questions to Corporation Council, if I may, or perhaps um Pete, you can answer them as well.

So um it regarding the uh Richter Park Authority and the requirements of its um members.

I understand that's of nine member autonomous board whose members are appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the city council, and that's why that was put in front of us uh two months ago.

Um the appointment terms and the appointment process, but um I didn't find anything that stated there needed to be a residential requirement, that there was a uh required residency.

And this isn't um always the case with the boards and other things because sometimes they do include residency requirements.

Um so I I feel that because it doesn't impose a residence require on some boards and not others, that it's fully within the purview, of course, of the mayor to appoint um Mr.

Brea to the board.

And um, so I just wanted to make to point that out.

So I don't really have any questions except to confirm that it's within the purview of how the structure of the park authority is that this appointment is.

Yes, we didn't find anything either that requires residence.

Okay, so I will turn over any questions to this isn't really a question, but it's it's more just uh a statement.

Um, you know, having uh joined the uh um Richter Park Authority in uh January, um I've seen uh how um this is a pretty close family here, and all these uh you know different groups um are uh working together, the Richter Arts Association, the musicals, the uh you know, the golfing and all of that stuff, and and there's a long history with a lot of people at the uh organ, you know, you know, in their contributions to this.

So I think uh Bobby was mentioning to me that he had been on and off uh since when 19.

1989, 1939, but as a really steady contributor since 2014.

And you know, when I when I joined and um uh you know, I was asked to uh be the R Slades, and because I was um uh replacing uh Judy uh uh Greamsman, who was the previous um arts liaison um you know I tr I sat in on one uh um board meeting of the Richter uh arts association and um realized there was uh um some uh misunderstandings and disagreements between them and the park authority that really went back way beyond what I knew, and that's why I didn't really feel like I was qualified to do that.

But then uh when I heard that Bobby was uh nominated by the mayor, I thought it was right in front of us the whole time.

This is the perfect person, you know, and uh so uh um you know I was I was kind of surprised that it got sent to ad hoc because it just seemed like it was um you know it it was an answer to uh you know uh to our prayers there.

So uh anyway, I just wanted to you know put that out there because that's kind of what I saw from uh from the inside.

Thank you, Kim.

Thank you, Counselor.

Um any questions, or maybe you can answer his question why it was brought to ad hoc.

Um I feel you called it to ad hoc.

Yeah, I did.

So I I mean, I was um not I I told Councilman Salvatore why I was going to send it to ad hoc.

It's not personal in any way to Mr.

Brea.

I've seen you at work at musicals at Richters.

I know how valuable you are to uh a gem in our city, really.

However, I do believe that in a city of 90 something thousand people, there are Danbury residents that would be suitable for this situation and for this position.

My understanding through corporation counsel discussions I've had with corporation council's office is that there was a residency requirement and that that was removed at some point.

But I don't know at what point that was removed.

Um perhaps, and I don't know why it was removed.

I wasn't involved at that at that juncture.

Um perhaps at some point it was difficult to find someone who would be suitable for this position.

I don't think that's the case in 2026.

We have a cultural commission, we have people who are really involved.

We have a number of students, parents, uh, dance teachers, art directors that are really involved with the musicals.

Um so that's basically why I wanted to go to ad hoc and have that discussion and honestly make it known and and heard that um it's not personal to you, Mr.

Brea, again, but that I do think in our great city there is someone else who would be suitable for this position.

Um I mean, I I I do have a question I wanted to ask is the musicals at Richter um a tenant of Richter Park authority.

They are not a tenant.

They they they do perform a show as a separate entity, and they do pay uh an annual amount of I wouldn't even call it ranch more of a user fee for utilities, uh et cetera, based on a head count.

So I guess it's not a tenancy, I guess, in the true meaning of the word, but they are occupying space for a fee through that.

I think that is also an inherent conflict having the executive director of uh for lack of a better word, a tenant um from the authority.

Um those are my reservations.

Um, and it's not personal in any way, Mr.

Brea.

I've interacted with you over at musicals.

My kids and I go there uh every year, and I have a number of um friends and uh students that do, you know, perform over there.

And I I have been involved, you know, in various degrees since I was a child.

So um I know you're doing an amazing job.

Um I also want to know I did hear you know comments, uh a lot of support from the public uh for Mr.

Brea, and I did hear comments, you know, that he's never missed a meeting, um, and he you know attends religiously and gives the reports back.

You know, in that regard, wouldn't it be more beneficial to the board if we had someone new?

If Mr.

Brea is already re reporting and accountable to a okay, I'm gonna just that's speculative.

I mean, if that's a question, that's that's I'm telling you my reason.

You asked me to respond to his questions.

My reasons are so your reason are it's not suitable.

Do you find there's someone more suitable in Danbury?

I don't think we would have a resident that's that's more suitable.

I think there's an inherent conflict, um, given that there is an agency relationship between the two.

Um so the inherent conflict, so you don't someone might be more suitable in Danbury.

You feel there's an inherent conflict.

And was there a third?

Yeah, I but before you cut me off, I was just getting there.

Um I know I wasn't sure what you were what you were getting to, what point you were getting to.

That's why I asked.

Okay, well now I have to think because you stopped me.

Um it was the the public support, and I If he's already right, if he's already attending every single meeting and accountable reporting, wouldn't it be more beneficial to the board to have someone other than Mr.

Brea um to branch out okay, right?

And that's what I said it was.

Those are the three.

No, no, no.

I'm saying those are the three reasons that you know I think um, you know, support my wanting to have this discussion.

Okay.

Um I think you're um certainly welcome to have those um those concerns, but I see the park authority is operating as its own entity and it's operating under its purview.

Um there's no inherent conflict from what I can understand, but Pete, you might be able to weigh in within the park authority about um the nomination of Mr.

Brea as to whether it's suitable or not.

Um that can be a um that's can be a subjective description, right?

Based on what you're doing.

Well, I didn't say whether that he was unsuitable.

I'm sorry, I'm talking.

Yeah, but I didn't say he was unsuitable.

I'm but I'm talking.

Yes, okay.

You're mischaracterizing what I've stated.

No, you use the word suitable, which I find is subjective, is subjective.

And basically um it's within the mayor's purview to appoint somebody, and he finds Mr.

Brea very suitable.

So it's in the context of how these appointments are made, it really is within the mayor's purview.

And if he feels Mr.

Bria suitable, he's certainly able to present him as a candidate.

And if there is no conflict within the park authority, um the Richter Park Authority, then I feel that the process is working.

And certainly there are people who aren't always gonna agree with the process, but now you're part of the process, so hopefully you can agree with the outcome or have a better feeling about the outcome.

And those are valid points, but that you're making, but they probably should be brought to the Richter Park Authority, maybe at one of their meetings.

May I respond?

Um, I suppose.

I mean, so I never never did I say he was unsuitable.

I didn't know what I stated I said.

I'm speaking now.

What I said was that I think there would be someone of the 92,000 people within our city.

I let you know Councilor Fay, you're repeating yourself, and this is a this is a just a very simple process of a meeting.

So if unless you have a question, do you have a question?

We're having a discussion, correct?

When you've mischaracterized my testimony, I opened it.

I would like the opportunity to.

I did not mischaracterize your testimony.

I described the adjective you used as being subjective.

No.

Yes, I did.

I never said he was not suitable.

I didn't.

I never questioned the mayor's characterization of Mr.

Bria as suitable.

I used to be able to do that.

I think we understand what you meant by it.

So you don't need to dig deeper.

But he clearly didn't because you've mischaracterized it.

Clearly have.

I just mentioned that the word you chose is subjective and can be interpreted in different ways.

Like the mayor thinking Mr.

Bria is absolutely suitable for the for the for the position.

Do you believe that Mr.

Bria is the only suitable person within our city of Danbury to serve in this position?

I think that that's not a decision necessarily for the city council to make or investigate, that there is a process in place.

The process is working, and so I feel the suitable candidate has been found.

What do you mean?

Which process are you describing?

The one where the mayor makes the appointment and brings it to city council.

So is this essentially rubber stamping what the mayor has has suggested?

His candidate.

I feel somewhat responsible for this.

Um I I recognize your your concerns.

I I can appreciate that.

Speaking, not for the mayor, obviously, this is his appointment, but if you can understand some of the the background that we're dealing with as far as the authority goes.

It's something that we've fought for many, many years.

Uh the concept that it was a golf course run by some Lily White men who wanted to keep a click amongst themselves for a golf course.

And we've worked very hard to try and prove to the community and to Richter Park as a whole, that there are many entities within Richter Park that should be celebrated.

Uh we currently try to structure that board under the mayor's purview, obviously, so that we have representation from all aspects of Richter Park.

So if you look at the makeup of the course now, yes, we have members of the men's club who are full members of the authority.

We have members of the seniors golf club who are full authorities.

We have member of the ladies' club who are full authorities of the member.

We now have a member of not only the city council, but someone who uses the trail system at Richter Park as well.

Judy was a fine representative of the Richter Arts Association until she took a position with her church.

By city ordinance, one of those those full members need to be on the arts association, not necessarily a arts board member, but on the arts association.

Who consistently come to meetings at Richter Park at the authority meeting.

One is a member of the men's club, an officer of the men's club who has no interest in being on the authority.

The other is Mr.

Brea, who dutifully reports out on the activities of musicals at Richter and has developed a great respect amongst the authority people.

But he also has the respect of the arts community as well, Richter Arts.

I can and have gone to the Richter Arts board meetings, but I have to tell you, not that they have a separate language.

I don't speak the language.

I was Catholic school educated when the time when they couldn't buy crayons for art.

So my stick figures have difficulty.

If I sing my dog runs as we go in, but I have Mr.

Brea who has great respect among the arts community to do that.

The appointment of Mr.

Bria to a full member of the authority fills the gap, not only gives representation to the arts board, but to musicals at Richter.

Not only gives them a voice at the table, but it gives them a vote now at the table as well, which is very important.

And he has his work cut out for him as what he does.

As far as other members of the community who are qualified to people don't stand in line necessarily to come on to Richter Park authority, although more people have expressed interest in the authority than many other boards.

But that kind of wanes when they find out that there really aren't any perks to be on the authority.

And they have to pay for their golf, they have to pay for their show tickets, food and beverage and everything else is coming out of their pocket.

There are no perks except you get to listen about the concerns of the golf course or the musicals or the arts association.

So there have been people that have put their name in, so to speak, to the mayor to be a member of the authority.

But not one of those individuals in the seven years that I've been there has ever come to a meeting to see how the authority actually operates.

The mayor has ideas on how he wants to structure the board, I'm sure, and that's within his purview.

My concern and my goal was just to give equal representation for the full authority.

And I've worked with Bobby for seven years now and found it to be exceptional.

We have a very good working relationship.

And I'll say I do respect your points, Ms.

Faye, but I have to say I don't see anyone more qualified than Bobby Brea to fill this niche at this point right now.

So you feel he's very suitable for uh position.

Um Thank you, Madam Chair.

If I could chime in from the mayor's office and even my perspective as I'm listening to the conversation here, um we often look for people who can contribute in a meaningful way.

And when we came into office, we found a list of boards and commissions and authorities that was outdated, that people had been left on boards and commissions way past their expiration date.

And we have been working systematically, you have seen on your council agendas uh every month now that we have new appointments, uh, either reappointing folks or appointing new folks.

What I can tell you is that you're absolutely right, Mr.

Chairman, that no one is chomping at the bit to serve in these capacities, as perhaps there was years ago when there was perhaps more civic engagement.

Um I can tell you that you see that through the volunteer fire service, you see that through churches and synagogues.

People are just not contributing in that way that they were before.

But when you have a core group of people who are willing to give up their time, their family, uh, they're giving up, they're sacrificing themselves to serve in these capacities that are unpaid, they are they are a time constraint and valuable for the community.

You accept that willingness to serve, I think.

And that's how we are we are approaching this.

We do reach out to folks and wonder if they want to sit on this board or that board or having conversations constantly like that.

Um, and most of the time people are just they're they're burdened with something else, they're busy with other things.

We also take advice from the folks who have been there.

So we trust in the leadership of Chairman Szynski, that's why we reappointed him.

And when he sent a note saying that he found no one better than Mr.

Bria to serve in this capacity, I think I have the note here.

Uh, your exact words were um Mr.

Bria's appointment and confirmation as a full member of the authority will be a welcome enhancement to our board.

That's exactly what we're trying to do with the mayor, uh, is trying to do to all these boards and commissions to make sure that there are people there who are going to be contributing members.

Um, furthermore, I've had the experience of serving uh around here a little bit longer than than some in different capacities as a city council member, right?

Uh I remember years where we didn't, or months that we wouldn't get any appointments because none were being appointed, or people were submitting letters that just you know went to nowhere.

Uh mine was one of those, the mayor's was one of those, Joe Britten's was one of those.

Uh, we are actually considering the folks and appointing people, uh, not based on political affiliation or who they may support or not, uh, but based on their ability to serve and the fact that they can contribute.

And so that's why someone like Mr.

Bria, who's had extensive uh experience with the park, and I will say this not as a slight, but maybe just perhaps to lighten the mood a little bit.

It says that you've been in and around this organization involved since 1999, 89.

I'll call that a lifetime because I was born in 1989.

And uh so I couldn't think, and neither could the mayor of anyone at this moment that is on a list somewhere that says they want to sign up.

There is no list.

He was the one that said he wanted to serve.

Your uh advice, sir, is well taken, and the mayor's prerogative to nominate him and the councils to advise and or consent.

So we appreciate it.

Um any final remarks, Council?

No.

Okay.

Anything?

Any final remote?

Well, uh, just to say, you know, that um the my choice between uh hypothetical and a reality.

I'll take the reality.

That's that's uh, you know, we we don't have time to search when we have someone, you know, who's as talented as Mr.

Bria.

I'm sorry.

Okay, so would you like to make the motion to I'm sorry, I am I can ask a question just based on that.

Maybe there's information.

I am running this belt.

I am running this meeting, and no, you cannot ask that question.

I'm asking for a motion.

Wouldn't you want us to make the most educated vote?

To make a motion to support the appointment as per the mayor's request of uh Mr.

Robabrea.

So moved.

Um I second.

Um ahead, councillor, councilwoman Faye, if you must.

Yeah, just based on your comment.

Was there a search conducted?

It's not the counselor's purview.

I'll answer for that.

Okay.

Any other discussion?

Okay, all those in four of the for the appointment of uh Mr.

Bria to the rector parts authority, signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Aye.

All those opposed?

No.

Nay.

Okay.

Um the motion the the recommendation um support we support the recommendation um by majority.

Um motion to adjourn.

So moved.

Second.

Is there a second?

I'll second.

All those in favor?

Aye.

Aye.

By acclamation, we are adjourned.

Thank you.

Okay.