General Services, Health and Environment Committee

This meeting is being held in accordance to Governor Hochul’s signed legislation allowing municipalities to resume remote meetings. If the legislation is revoked, then it will be an in-person meeting. Please stay up to date with the status of our meetings by going to our website and following us on Facebook. We encourage residents to continue participating. Constituents can provide public comment on our new public comment line 518-694-3987, by email commoncouncil@albanyny.gov or the form on our website https://www.albanyny.gov/Government/CityOfficials/CommonCouncil.aspx. These comments will be shared with members and/ or read for the record at the meeting, posted on our website and Facebook. Constituents may also register to speak during the meeting and you to will be provided with the zoom credentials if it is your intent to speak email us at commoncouncil@albanyny.gov COMMON COUNCIL MEETING GENERAL SERVICE, HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE Jack Flynn, Chair DATE: Wednesday, May 4, 2022 LOCATION: VIRTUALLY ON ZOOM TIME: 5:30 p.m. TOPIC(S) OF DISCUSSION/CONSIDERATION:  ORDINANCE 2.21.22 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 345 (TREES AND VEGETATION) OF PART II OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF ALBANY REGARDING PLANTING TREES IN THE CITY OF ALBANY  RESOLUTION NUMBER 35.41.22R A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF JEWEL AND GRACE LOVE AND RENAMING A PORTION OF FIRST STREET IN THEIR HONOR  RESOLUTION NUMBER 48.51.22R A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF CHARLES AND EDNA HOWARD AND RENAMING A PORTION OF CLINTON AVENUE AS CHARLES AND EDNA HOWARD WAY PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: YES Council Member Anane introduced the following: ORDINANCE 2.21.22 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 345 (TREES AND VEGETATION) OF PART II OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF ALBANY REGARDING PLANTING TREES IN THE CITY OF ALBANY The City of Albany, in Common Council convened, does hereby ordain and enact: Section 1. Section 345-17 (Planting of trees along private property) of Article 1 (Care of Trees and Shrubs) Chapter 345 (Trees and Vegetation) of Part II (General Legislation) of the Code of the City of Albany is amended to read as follows: § 345-17 Planting of trees along private property. A. Owners desiring to have trees planted along their property shall submit to the Commissioner of the Department of General Services a tree request form with a check payable to the City Treasurer for 1/2 the cost of the tree. The Commissioner of the Department of General Services reserves the right to make a final designation of kind or species of tree and the location where the same is to be planted. It shall be the responsibility of the owner to maintain the tree in accordance with this article. B. If a tree or trees has been removed pursuant to section 345-4 of this chapter, the City of Albany is required to plant another tree or trees and the City of Albany shall bear the full cost to replant. The owner of the property from which a tree or trees was removed pursuant to section 345-4 of this chapter may submit a request to the City Forester requesting that such tree not be replaced. Section 2. This ordinance shall take effect 30 days after enactment. APPROVED AS TO FORM THIS 28TH DAY OF JANUARY, 2022 ________________________________ Corporation Counsel To: Danielle Gillespie, City Clerk From: John-Raphael Pichardo, Esq., Research Counsel Re: Common Council Legislation Supporting Memorandum Date: January 27, 2022 Sponsor: Council Member Anane ORDINANCE 2.21.22 TITLE: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 345 (TREES AND VEGETATION) OF PART II OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF ALBANY REGARDING PLANTING TREES IN THE CITY OF ALBANY GENERAL PURPOSE OF LEGISLATION: To require the city to replant trees if a tree has been removed. Residents can request to have the city not replace a tree if it is adjacent to their property. NECESSITY FOR LEGISLATION AND CHANGES TO EXISTING LAW: Many blocks have lost most of their trees and now the rest are coming down and the streets look bare. FISCAL IMPACT(S): Cost of trees and administrative cost. Council Member Robinson introduced the following: RESOLUTION NUMBER 35.41.22R A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF JEWEL AND GRACE LOVE AND RENAMING A PORTION OF FIRST STREET IN THEIR HONOR WHEREAS, Jewel and Grace Love left a legacy and laid a foundation of greatness for their family and the community. They were activists and committed to the betterment of the Fifth Ward and the City at large, as evidenced by their willingness to serve. Jewel Love, throughout his life, received many awards and accolades including the Lights of Love Award which was presented to him in 2013; and WHEREAS, Jewel Love was born in 1914 in Tucker, Arkansas where he worked in the fields to help his parents provide for his younger siblings. It was also in Arkansas where he devoted his life to the Lord and was baptized at First Baptist Church in Tucker; and WHEREAS, Grace Sims was born in 1922 in Little Rock, Arkansas where she met the love of her life, Jewel Love, at the age of 14, and the two were joined in wedlock two years later in 1938. The Loves were determined to build a better life for themselves and their daughters, so they migrated to Albany, New York in 1940; and WHEREAS, when the Love family arrived in racially segregated Albany, they were able to find housing on Broadway and Mr. Love immediately set out to find work to support his family. He was subsequently hired at the Allegheny Ludlum Steel, known today as Al-Tech Specialty Steel Corp, where he worked until he retired in 1979; and WHEREAS, the Loves proved to be a power couple in the City of Albany – one that tirelessly gave of themselves. After migrating here and finding permanent housing at 159 First Street, which they would later purchase, making them one of the few black land owners in the area, they opened their doors to relatives and borders migrating from the South, looking for better opportunities; and WHEREAS, Grace Love proved to be a great woman in her own right and supported her husband as he worked in the steel industry, his work as a founding member of the gospel group known as the Jolly Five, his softball endeavors in the Arbor Hill community and his licensure as an exterminator in the City of Albany; and WHEREAS, Jewel Love completed a program of intense study learning how to mix chemicals while maintaining full time employment and, in 1970, he took and passed the state examination for exterminators, later starting his own exterminating business. He purchased a small building on 142 First Street which was known as Love’s Exterminator, the site where he produced his chemicals. Jewel Love was the first person of color in the City of Albany to become a licensed exterminator; and  WHEREAS, both Grace and Jewel Love were committed to growing and serving in God’s kingdom. Grace was appointed to the Deaconate Ministry by Reverend Dr. Earnest E. Drake and was a devout member of the Metropolitan New Testament Mission Baptist Church. Deaconess Grace also served on the Progressive “500” Ministry and the Eula Holmes Auxiliary; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Albany Common Council honors the life and legacy of Jewel and Grace Love and directs that an honorary street sign to read “Jewel and Grace Love Way” shall be placed adjacent to the existing sign at First and Lark Street to Swan First Street. BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution, suitably engrossed be transmitted to the family of Jewel and Grace Love, as a memento celebrating the life and legacy of these two community pillars. To: Danielle Gillespie, City Clerk From: Jahmel K. Robinson, Council Member, 5th Ward Re: Common Council Legislation Supporting Memorandum Date: March 24, 2022 SPONSOR(S): Council Member Robinson RESOLUTION NUMBER 35.41.22R TITLE A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF JEWEL AND GRACE LOVE AND RENAMING A PORTION OF FIRST STREET IN THEIR HONOR GENERAL PURPOSE OF LEGISLATION Honoring the life and legacy of Jewel and Grace Love and renaming a portion of First Street. FISCAL IMPACT: None. Council Member Love introduced the following: RESOLUTION NUMBER 48.51.22R A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF CHARLES AND EDNA HOWARD AND RENAMING A PORTION OF CLINTON AVENUE AS CHARLES AND EDNA HOWARD WAY WHEREAS, Charles Will Howard migrated to New York State in 1930 leaving behind the atrocities and mistreatment faced by black men in Birmingham, Alabama. He knew at 12 years of age that something better existed up North and he would be safe from unfair Jim Crow laws and lynching. With just $1.00 in his possession he traveled on freight trains and did odd jobs to make his way to Buffalo, New York; and WHEREAS, once Charles Will Howard made it to Buffalo he continued to demonstrate his ingenuity and creativity in securing work. It was In Buffalo, while living with family and battling an illness, that he met his future wife Edna Mae Davis. After a two year courtship the two would be wed and relocated to Albany, New York; and WHEREAS, after their marriage and relocation to Albany, New York they would have three beautiful children. First they resided on Van Ward Street in New Albany and then move to Orange Street before they moved to 172 Clinton Avenue, the home that they purchased ; and WHEREAS, the Howards were very active in supporting their community and serving at the Mount Olive Southern Missionary Baptist Church where they were one of the first of the founding families of the church; and WHEREAS, the Howards were well loved and respected members of the Arbor Hill Community and the longest-living black family owning property on Clinton Avenue. They supported and gave to their community for over 50 years. Charles Will Howard was called home in 1997 but while alive he was an active member of the church serving on the Usher board for more than 20 years until his appointment to trusteeship for the Church Financial Ministry. Ms Edna Mae Davis is a still a longstanding mother of the Mount Olive Southern Missionary Baptist Church; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Albany Common Council honors the life and legacy of Charles and Edna Howard and directs that an honorary street sign to read “Charles and Edna Howard Way” shall be placed adjacent to the existing signs at Clinton Avenue and South Swan and Dove Streets; and BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution, suitably engrossed be transmitted to the family of Charles Will Howard and Edna Howard, and a portion of Clinton Avenue between South Swan and Dove Streets will be renamed Charles and Edna Way to honor the legacy of these two community pillars. To: Danielle Gillespie, City Clerk From: Council Member Love, Council Member, 3rd Ward Re: Common Council Legislation Supporting Memorandum Date: April 21, 2022 Sponsor: Council Member Love RESOLUTION NUMBER 48.51.22R TITLE A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF CHARLES WILL AND EDNA MAE HOWARD AND RENAMING A PORTION OF CLINTON AVENUE AS CHARES AND EDNA HOWARD WAY GENERAL PURPOSE OF LEGISLATION Honoring the life and celebrating the contributions of Charles Will and Edna Mae Howard. FISCAL IMPACT None.