Finance, Assessment and Taxation Committee

This meeting is being held in accordance to Governor Cuomo’s Executive Order and other Federal and State Orders that impact in-person attendance at public meetings, if applicable orders expire or are revoked before December 17, 2020, this will be an in-person meeting in City Hall, please check our website and Facebook for updates. Please submit your public comment via email commoncouncil@albanyny.gov or on our website https://www.albanyny.gov/Government/CityOfficials/CommonCouncil.aspx by Thursday, December 17, 2020 12pm. These comments will be shared with members and/ or read for the record at the meeting. The meeting will be held using Zoom and streamed through the Albany Common Council’s Facebook. To stream this video please visit: https://www.facebook.com/albany.commoncouncil. If we experience any technical difficulties on Facebook, the video will be streamed to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-rQHp1fBLPcdk_4N6J4XbQ COMMON COUNCIL MEETING FINANCE, ASSESSMENT AND TAXATION COMMITTEE Ginnie Farrell, Chair DATE: Thursday, December 17, 2020 TIME: 5:30 p.m. TOPIC(S) OF DISCUSSION/CONSIDERATION: INTERVIEW CANDIDATES FOR THE CITY OF ALBANY BOARD OF ASSESSMENT (BAR) RESOLUTION NUMBER 115.121.20R A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL CONSENTING TO THE TRANSFER OF UNASSIGNED FUNDS TO COVER WAGE INCREASES OWED UNDER THE ALBANY POLICE SUPERVISORS’ ASSOCIATION COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT ORDINANCE NUMBER 42.112.20 AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL AUTHORIZING THE SALE TO YILI SHKULLAKU OF CITY-OWNED LAND BORDERING 39 BEACH AVENUE, 51 BEACH AVENUE, 54 FOUNTAIN AVENUE, AND 48 FOUNTAIN AVENUE (HURON PAPER STREET) ORDINANCE 36.102.20 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING CERTAIN PURCHASES BY THE CITY OF ALBANY, NEW YORK AT A MAXIMUM ESTIMATED COST OF $133,500.00 AND AUTHORIZING THE LEASE FINANCING OR THE ISSUANCE OF $133,500.00 SERIAL BONDS OF SAID CITY TO PAY THE COST THEREOF (PLANNING – BROWNFIELD OPPORTUNITY AREA & LOCAL WATERFRONT REVITALIZATION PLAN) ORDINANCE 37.102.20 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING CERTAIN PURCHASES BY THE CITY OF ALBANY, NEW YORK AT A MAXIMUM ESTIMATED COST OF $3,750,000.00 AND AUTHORIZING THE LEASE FINANCING OR THE ISSUANCE OF $3,750,000.00 SERIAL BONDS OF SAID CITY TO PAY THE COST THEREOF (ENGINEERING – STREET RECONSTRUCTION) ORDINANCE 38.102.20 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING CERTAIN PURCHASES BY THE CITY OF ALBANY, NEW YORK AT A MAXIMUM ESTIMATED COST OF $650,000.00 AND AUTHORIZING THE LEASE FINANCING OR THE ISSUANCE OF $650,000.00 SERIAL BONDS OF SAID CITY TO PAY THE COST THEREOF (ENGINEERING – SIDEWALK RECONSTRUCTION) PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: YES Council Member ________ introduced the following: RESOLUTION NUMBER 115.121.20R A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL CONSENTING TO THE TRANSFER OF UNASSIGNED FUNDS TO COVER WAGE INCREASES OWED UNDER THE ALBANY POLICE SUPERVISORS’ ASSOCIATION COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT WHEREAS, section 604(D)(b) of the Charter of the City of Albany dictates that any transfer of budgeted funds that affects a salary rate or salary total that occurs outside of those described in the duly adopted budget requires approval of the Common Council; and WHEREAS, the Budget Office has requested amendments to the 2020 budget as follows: From: Unassigned Fund Balance $940,877 To: Police Salaries (A.3120.7000) $660,633 Police Overtime (A.3120.7499) $177,931 Police Social Security (A.3120.7801) $50,538 Police Longevity (A.3120.7192) $51,775 WHEREAS, these changes are being requested to cover wage increases owed to the members of Albany Police Supervisors’ Association for the years 2017 to 2019, as detailed in their Collective Bargaining Agreement with the City of Albany; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Common Council of the City of Albany consents to the transfer of funds affecting the salary totals for various positions as detailed above for budget year 2020. To: Danielle Gillespie, City Clerk From: Brett Williams, Senior Assistant Corporation Counsel Re: Request for Common Council Legislation Supporting Memorandum Date: November 25, 2020 Sponsor: To be determined RESOLUTION NUMBER 115.121.20R TITLE A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL CONSENTING TO THE TRANSFER OF UNASSIGNED FUNDS IN RELATION TO THE ALBANY POLICE SUPERVISORS’ ASSOCIATION COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT GENERAL PURPOSE OF LEGISLATION These funds are being transferred to cover the 1.5% wage increase owed to APSA under their CBA with the City for 2017, as well the 2% wage increases owed to them for both 2018 and 2019. The 2% wage increase due in 2020 can be absorbed by extra savings within the specific lines listed in the resolution; thus, no transfer of budgeted funds is required to cover the 2020 wage increase. NECESSITY FOR LEGISLATION AND CHANGE TO EXISTING LAW Pursuant to section 604(D)(b) of the Charter, the Council must consent to the transfer of funds that affect salary totals which occur outside of the budget process. FISCAL IMPACT None. Council Member Farrell, on behalf of the Finance, Taxation, and Assessment Committee, introduced the following: ORDINANCE 36.102.20 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING CERTAIN PURCHASES BY THE CITY OF ALBANY, NEW YORK AT A MAXIMUM ESTIMATED COST OF $133,500.00 AND AUTHORIZING THE LEASE FINANCING OR THE ISSUANCE OF $133,500.00 SERIAL BONDS OF SAID CITY TO PAY THE COST THEREOF (PLANNING – BROWNFIELD OPPORTUNITY AREA & LOCAL WATERFRONT REVITALIZATION PLAN) The City of Albany, in Common Council convened, does hereby ordain and enact: Section 1. The objects or purposes to be authorized and financed pursuant to this ordinance are set forth below, together with estimates of the maximum estimated costs thereof; determinations of the periods of probable usefulness thereof and the subparagraphs of Section 11.00(a) of the New York Local Finance Law pursuant to which it is determined; the maximum amount of the bonds to be issued with respect to such object or purpose and the maximum term of the obligations to be issued with respect to each project or purpose. Object or Purpose: Brownfield Opportunity Area and Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan Local Finance Law Section 11 Subparagraph: 48 Period of Probable Usefulness: 5 years Maximum Term of Obligations: 5 years Maximum Estimated Cost: $133,500 Maximum Amount of Bonds: $133,500 Treasurer’s Bond Authorization Number(s): G-21 Treasurer’s Project Number(s): GH80209107 Section 2. The plan of financing such objects or purposes is the lease financing of or the issuance of $133,500.00 serial bonds hereby authorized to be issued. Section 3. It is hereby ordered and directed that the projects specified above be undertaken and the amounts set forth as the maximum estimated costs are hereby appropriated therefor. The Board of Contract and Supply is hereby authorized to take such necessary and further steps to carry out the provisions of this section. Section 4. Pending the sale of the bonds herein authorized, the temporary use of funds from the City’s general fund, pursuant to the provisions of section 165.10 of the New York Local Finance Law, is hereby authorized. The City reasonably expects to reimburse such temporary expenditures with the proceeds of the bonds or bond anticipation notes authorized by Section 1 of this ordinance. This ordinance shall constitute the City’s “official intent” to reimburse such temporary expenditures in accordance with Untied States Treasury Regulation section 1.150-2.  Section 5. The faith and credit of the City of Albany, New York, are hereby irrevocably pledged for the payment of the principal of and interest on such leases or bonds as the same respectively become due and payable. An annual appropriation shall be made in each year sufficient to pay the principal of and interest on such leases or bonds becoming due and payable in such year and such debt service payments may be made in substantially level or declining amounts as may be authorized by law. There shall annually be levied on all taxable real property of said City, a tax sufficient to pay the principal of and interest on such leases or bonds as the same become due and payable. Section 6. Subject to the provisions of the New York Local Finance Law, the power to authorize the issuance of and to sell bond anticipation notes in anticipation of the issuance and sale of the serial bonds herein authorized, including renewals of such notes, is hereby delegated in the City Treasurer, as chief fiscal officer of the City of Albany. Such notes shall be of such terms, form and contents, and shall be sold in such manner, as may be prescribed by said City Treasurer, consistent with the provisions of Local Finance Law. Section 7. The City Treasurer is further authorized to take such actions and execute such documents as may be necessary to ensure the continued status of the interest on the leases or bonds authorized by this resolution and any notes issued in anticipation thereof, as excludable from federal income taxation pursuant to Section 103 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and to designate the bonds authorized by this resolution, and any notes issued in anticipation thereof as “qualified tax-exempt bonds” in accordance with Section 265(b)(3)(B)(i) of the Code. Section 8. The City Treasurer is further authorized to enter into a continuing disclosure agreement with the initial issuer of the leases or the purchaser of the bonds or notes authorized by this resolution, containing provisions which are satisfactory to such purchaser in compliance with the provisions of Rule 15c12-12, promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission, pursuant to the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934. Section 9. The validity of such leases or bonds and bond anticipation notes may be contested only if: (a) Such obligations are authorized for an object or purpose for which said City is not authorized to expend money, or (b) The provisions of law which should be complied with at the date of publication of this ordinance pursuant to Section 8 hereof are not substantially complied with, and an action, suit or proceeding contesting such validity is commenced within twenty days after the date of such publication, or (c) Such obligations are authorized in violation of the provisions of the Constitution.  Section 10. Upon this ordinance taking effect, the Clerk of the Common Council is hereby authorized and directed to publish the same together with a notice in substantially the form set forth in section 81.00 of the New York Local Finance Law. Council Member Farrell, on behalf of the Finance, Taxation, and Assessment Committee, introduced the following: ORDINANCE 37.102.20 (As Amended 10/23/2020) AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING CERTAIN PURCHASES BY THE CITY OF ALBANY, NEW YORK AT A MAXIMUM ESTIMATED COST OF $3,750,000.00 AND AUTHORIZING THE LEASE FINANCING OR THE ISSUANCE OF $3,750,000.00 SERIAL BONDS OF SAID CITY TO PAY THE COST THEREOF (ENGINEERING – STREET RECONSTRUCTION) The City of Albany, in Common Council convened, does hereby ordain and enact: Section 1. The objects or purposes to be authorized and financed pursuant to this ordinance are set forth below, together with estimates of the maximum estimated costs thereof; determinations of the periods of probable usefulness thereof and the subparagraphs of Section 11.00(a) of the New York Local Finance Law pursuant to which it is determined; the maximum amount of the bonds to be issued with respect to such object or purpose and the maximum term of the obligations to be issued with respect to each project or purpose. Object or Purpose: Street reconstruction Local Finance Law Section 11 Subparagraph: 20(b) Period of Probable Usefulness: 10 years Maximum Term of Obligations: 10 years Maximum Estimated Cost: $3,750,000 Maximum Amount of Bonds: $3,750,000 Treasurer’s Bond Authorization Number(s): J-21 Treasurer’s Project Number(s): GH149250109110 Section 2. The plan of financing such objects or purposes is the lease financing of or the issuance of $3,750,000.00 serial bonds hereby authorized to be issued. Council Member Farrell, on behalf of the Finance, Taxation, and Assessment Committee, introduced the following: ORDINANCE 38.102.20 (As Amended 10/23/20) AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING CERTAIN PURCHASES BY THE CITY OF ALBANY, NEW YORK AT A MAXIMUM ESTIMATED COST OF $650,000.00 AND AUTHORIZING THE LEASE FINANCING OR THE ISSUANCE OF $650,000.00 SERIAL BONDS OF SAID CITY TO PAY THE COST THEREOF (ENGINEERING – SIDEWALK RECONSTRUCTION) The City of Albany, in Common Council convened, does hereby ordain and enact: Section 1. The objects or purposes to be authorized and financed pursuant to this ordinance are set forth below, together with estimates of the maximum estimated costs thereof; determinations of the periods of probable usefulness thereof and the subparagraphs of Section 11.00(a) of the New York Local Finance Law pursuant to which it is determined; the maximum amount of the bonds to be issued with respect to such object or purpose and the maximum term of the obligations to be issued with respect to each project or purpose. Object or Purpose: Sidewalk reconstruction Local Finance Law Section 11 Subparagraph: 24 Period of Probable Usefulness: 10 years Maximum Term of Obligations: 10 years Maximum Estimated Cost: $650,000 Maximum Amount of Bonds: $650,000 Treasurer’s Bond Authorization Number(s): K-21 Treasurer’s Project Number(s): GH149250109111 Section 2. The plan of financing such objects or purposes is the lease financing of or the issuance of $650,000.00 serial bonds hereby authorized to be issued. Council Member Farrell, on behalf of the Finance, Taxation, and Assessment Committee, introduced the following: ORDINANCE 39.102.20 (As Amended 10/23/20) AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING CERTAIN PURCHASES BY THE CITY OF ALBANY, NEW YORK AT A MAXIMUM ESTIMATED COST OF $300,000.00 AND AUTHORIZING THE LEASE FINANCING OR THE ISSUANCE OF $300,000.00 SERIAL BONDS OF SAID CITY TO PAY THE COST THEREOF (ENGINEERING – ADA COMPLIANCE) The City of Albany, in Common Council convened, does hereby ordain and enact: Section 1. The objects or purposes to be authorized and financed pursuant to this ordinance are set forth below, together with estimates of the maximum estimated costs thereof; determinations of the periods of probable usefulness thereof and the subparagraphs of Section 11.00(a) of the New York Local Finance Law pursuant to which it is determined; the maximum amount of the bonds to be issued with respect to such object or purpose and the maximum term of the obligations to be issued with respect to each project or purpose. Object or Purpose: ADA compliance Local Finance Law Section 11 Subparagraph: 24 Period of Probable Usefulness: 10 years Maximum Term of Obligations: 10 years Maximum Estimated Cost: $300,000 Maximum Amount of Bonds: $300,000 Treasurer’s Bond Authorization Number(s): L-21 Treasurer’s Project Number(s): GH194250109112 Section 2. The plan of financing such objects or purposes is the lease financing of or the issuance of $300,000.00 serial bonds hereby authorized to be issued. Council Member Hoey introduced the following: Ordinance Number 42.112.20 AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL AUTHORIZING THE SALE TO YILI SHKULLAKU OF CITY-OWNED LAND BORDERING 39 BEACH AVENUE, 51 BEACH AVENUE, 54 FOUNTAIN AVENUE, AND 48 FOUNTAIN AVENUE (HURON PAPER STREET) The City of Albany, in Common Council convened, does hereby ordain and enact: Section 1. It is hereby ordered and directed that all the right, title and interest of the City of Albany in and to the undeveloped parcel measuring approximately 90 feet by 40 feet (+/- 0.08 acres) bordering 39 Beach Avenue, 51 Beach Avenue, 48 Fountain Avenue, and 54 Fountain Avenue (known as Huron Paper Street), be sold at private sale pursuant to the provisions of Local Law No. 4 of 1984 to Yili Shkullaku. SUBJECT to all easements, restrictions and rights-of-way of record. Section 2. It is hereby determined that the aforesaid property has been abandoned for municipal or public purposes. Section 3. The form, content, terms and conditions of such conveyance shall be approved by the Corporation Counsel and shall be subject to the approval of the Board of Estimate and Apportionment, and if approved by said Board, the Mayor is hereby authorized and directed to execute a proper deed of conveyance for a valuable consideration. Section 5. This ordinance shall take effect immediately. APPROVED AS TO FORM THIS 6TH DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2020. _________________________________ Corporation Counsel To: Danielle Gillespie, City Clerk From: Sarah Valis, Assistant Corporation Counsel Re: Request for Common Council Legislation Supporting Memorandum Date: November 4, 2020 SPONSOR Council Member Hoey ORDINANCE NUMBER 42.112.20 TITLE AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL AUTHORIZING THE SALE TO YILI SHKULLAKU OF CITY-OWNED LAND BORDERING 39 BEACH AVENUE, 51 BEACH AVENUE, 54 FOUNTAIN AVENUE, AND 48 FOUNTAIN AVENUE (HURON PAPER STREET) GENERAL PURPOSE OF LEGISLATION To allow Yili Shkullaku to purchase the undeveloped 0.08 +/- acre parcel bordering 39 Beach Avenue, 51 Beach Avenue, 54 Fountain Avenue, and 48 Fountain Avenue (known as Huron Paper Street). Yili Shkullaku currently owns 39 Beach Avenue. NECESSITY FOR LEGISLATION AND ANY CHANGE TO EXISTING LAW Sale of city owned property requires Council approval. SPECIFICS OF REAL PROPERTY SALE OR ACQUISITION (if applicable) The Huron Paper Street has a valuation of approximately $10,000. FISCAL IMPACT(S) None identified.