DANBURY HOUSING PARTNERSHIP

June 7, 2007

Present: C. Barrows, T. Baughmann, A. Budnik, D. Elpern, G. Lemme, M. Nolan, P. Scalzo, P. Schierloh, S. Zaborowski, C. Sistrunk, D. Valeri, Rev. Payton

Absent: A. Coelho, A. Finaldi, E. Lima, M. McLachlan, Rev. Pitts, W. Shepperd, Honorable D. Yamin

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The meeting of the Danbury Housing Partnership was called to order at 3:05p.m. in conference room 3C at Danbury City Hall by Chairperson, Mark Nolan. Attendance was taken of all present members, meeting was taped per request and recommendations made to Chairperson by Corporation Counsel and the requirements as set by FOI standards.

Message from Chairperson M. Nolan states that certain principles should be followed per each Housing Partnership meeting including the taping of meetings, posting of meetings and monthly meetings/agenda notices to the town clerk’s office, minutes posted on the City’s website, notification of subcommittee meetings/agenda, etc. Other information pro-vided to the Partnership included recognizing the award that Mayor Boughton received regarding the City of Danbury’s efforts to end homelessness, the Partnership for Strong Communities, and the Connecticut Housing Coalition upcoming meetings. Partnership reviewed the minutes of May 3, 2007. A motion to accept the minutes was made by D. Elpern, seconded by Rev. Payton. Discussion followed. Minutes were approved unanimously and placed on file.

Following the agenda under old business, Mr. Nolan stated that the City needs to keep track of housing proposals coming into the community. Mr. Nolan has talked with HVECO regarding the housing assessment of 2007-2008 which addresses the regions on affordable housing. It would be beneficial for the region to discuss housing issues with the state and federal government.

Under new business, Mr. Nolan is omitting item E, which is duplication on the agenda. Items A and B will be deferred to C. Sistrunk when she attends the meeting. Ms. Sistrunk will address the Partnership on the drafted by-laws that was under discussion with Corporation Counsel. Discussion was made regarding the addition of the Danbury Hospital providing membership into the Partnership, along with Western Connecticut State University representation. Comments were made regarding housing needs for university students and graduate students. By providing affordable housing needs to these students, the community could benefit from them becoming our local workforce. Statements were made by Partnership members that additional members should be considered along with the Danbury Hospital, the university, and perhaps representatives from the Continuum of Care, Housing Development Fund, BRT, etc. By adding a wide representation of experienced individuals involving housing, social and community needs, the Housing Partnership would have a well rounded membership.

Ms. Barrows provided information on the Town of Brookfield addressing the senior housing needs. Ms. Barrows stated that the Brookfield Commission on Aging is reviewing a survey sent to all town resident ages 45 and over requesting input on housing needs, transportation issues, etc. Chairperson Nolan requested assistance from Ms. Burrows to contact the Commission and request a copy of the survey and any other pertinent information and provide it to the Partnership at the next scheduled monthly meeting. Mr. Scalzo provided information on the Town of Brookfield’s zoning commission introducing new zoning proposals such as incentives for 2 stories and above on retail stores/offices to allow larger density to bring more local businesses into the community. Chairperson M. Nolan remarked on proposed housing projects in the works on 2200 units in a community 30 minutes from Danbury, Lynn Waller and a proposal on subdivision offering a cross mixture for population of single family townhouses and single flats for senior citizens, etc. A review of item # F and comments were made by Mr. Nolan.

At this time in the meeting, Ms. Sistrunk was present to discuss items # A and B. Ms. Sistrunk indicated to the Partnership that by-laws and a mission statement regarding the Danbury Housing Partnership were in a draft form and may need to be retooled with the permission of the Partnership. Ms. Sistrunk went over the draft form, with comments made from the membership on benchmarks being made, accomplished tasks to be noted, “Works in progress” “ongoing” and “target dates” items need to be placed and appropriately documented in the draft, etc. A motion was made by Chairperson M. Nolan to adopt the draft as presented and to place finalized 8.5 X 14 format in column format with target dates, etc. as stated, seconded by C. Sistrunk, discussion followed, and unanimous decision made. Ms. Sistrunk will add all comments made at this meeting, rewrite as requested and provide a final copy for the Partnership members.


Mr. Schierloh went over the Mayor’s Taskforce to End Homelessness document to the Partnership in detail. Mr. Schierloh indicated that Mayor Boughton’s objective for the City of Danbury is a ten year plan to end homelessness. The taskforce is to make recommendations and implementation of programs/plan, committee designation and structuring of community activities and goals, etc. Most of year one goals have been met according to the taskforce except for the need to provide and fund a part-time position and possible grant writer in assisting the taskforce. The filling of any job positions would be at the discretion of the Mayor. Ms. Valeri inquired to the Partnership if any outreach volunteers go into the field for observation and reporting to the various agencies in the City. Ms. Sistrunk responded that there are individuals that assess the community needs such as Dream Homes that have a hands-on approach with the homeless.

Mr. Scalzo provided information on Mr. Sullivan’s approved project and Reverend Payton and the Jericho project. After these comments were presented to the Partnership, Mr. Scalzo and Mr. Lemme needed to leave the meeting for other business matters.

Chairperson Nolan indicated to the Partnership that continue objectives to meet the Taskforce’s recommendations need to be fulfilled and initiated as soon as possible. The next scheduled meeting is set for July 5, 2007. Mr. Schierloh added that the four(4) subcommittees should meet and provide information to the next Partnership meeting. The 4 committees designated are:

1. Housing and Community Development: Chairperson, P. Scalzo, committee members: A.Finaldi, G. Lemme, D. Elpern, C. Barrows, S. Zaborowski . A motion was made by Chairperson M. Nolan to elect P. Scalzo as chairman and the committee members as noted, seconded by Rev. Payton, discussion followed. Unanimously accepted.

2. Social and Supportive Services: Chairperson, A. Coelho, committee members: A. Budnik, D. Valeri, Rev. Payton,Honorable D. Yamin. A motion was made by D. Valeri to elect A. Coelho as chairman and the committee members as noted, seconded by P. Schierloh, discussion followed. Unanimously accepted.

3. Finance and Resource Fundraising: Chairperson, M. McLachlan, committee members: C. Sistrunk, P. Schierloh. A motion was made by P. Schierloh to elect M. McLachlan as chairperson and the committee members as noted, seconded by D. Valeri, discussion followed. Unanimously accepted.

4. Public Relations Education: Chairperson, E. Lima, committee members: W. Shepperd, T. Baughmann, Rev. Ivan. A motion was made by Chairperson M. Nolan to electt E. Lima as chairperson and the committee members as noted, seconded by C. Sistrunk, discussion followed. Unanimously accepted.

Chairperson M. Nolan, C. Sistrunk and D. Elpern will be the committee on the city ordinance, by-laws, mission statement and administrative procedures

Each committee needs to provide an agenda for each meeting, a schedule of yearly meetings, proposals, recommendations and comments regarding the taskforce/ordinance , specific tasks for the committee objectives, secretary assigned for minute taking/recording, etc. Each meeting and agenda notice needs to be posted to the Town Clerk at least 24 hours in advance, meeting room needs to be confirmed by the City Clerk. The Health, Housing and Welfare Department will assist and provide proper notification for each committee chairperson regarding the above mentioned requirements. Mr. Nolan and Mr. Schierloh will meet with each committee at their designated dates/time/location. Roberts Rule will prevail at each committee meeting. Each committee chairperson should be prepared to report their findings at the July 5th Housing Partnership meeting.

Mr. Nolan noted that the first year’s taskforce recommendations should be addressed at the subcommittee’s meetings. Comments were made by the membership regarding a senior housing taskforce, city redevelopment, state/federal monies available for housing construction, regional development/participation and funding.

Mr. Nolan reminded the Partnership July 5th meeting. Notices and agenda will be sent to all members. If attendance is not possible, please notify S. Zaborowski regarding your absence. A motion to adjourn the Housing Partnership meeting was made by D. Elpern, seconded by Rev. Payton, passed unanimously.