General Services, Health and Environment Committee

COMMON COUNCIL MEETING GENERAL SERVICE, HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE Jack Flynn, Chair DATE: Wednesday, April 26, 2023 LOCATION: Council Chambers-2nd Floor. City Hall TIME: 5:00 PM TOPIC(S) OF DISCUSSION/CONSIDERATION:  RESOLUTION NUMBER 23.32.23R A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL HONORING THE LIFE AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF WARD TAYLOR DeWITT, SR. AND RENAMING A PORTION OF HALL PLACE IN HIS HONOR  RESOLUTION NUMBER 28.41.23R A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL HONORING REVEREND DOCTOR DAMONE PAUL JOHNSON AND RENAMING A PORTION OF SECOND STREET IN HIS HONOR PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: YES Council Member Love introduced the following: RESOLUTION NUMBER 23.32.23R A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL HONORING THE LIFE AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF WARD TAYLOR DeWITT, SR. AND RENAMING A PORTION OF HALL PLACE IN HIS HONOR WHEREAS, Ward Taylor DeWitt, Sr. left a legacy that had a rippling effect on the Capital District, and radiated throughout the entire Empire State. A native son of Albany, Ward was born on October 15, 1947, to the late Cornelius and Hattie Taylor DeWitt. Ward was educated in the Albany Public School system. He attended Philip Schuyler Senior High and graduated from Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut. While at Wesleyan, he completed an internship with the Martin Luther King Institute for Non-Violence in Atlanta, Georgia. He continued graduate studies at the State University of New York at Albany and Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government; and WHEREAS, shortly after he graduated, he began his career in criminal justice and corrections. Ward spent his early career serving as an Institutional Parole Officer for the state of New York, then went on to become a Budget Fellow in the New York State Division of Budget, an advisor to Governor Hugh L. Carey. While under the employ of the Governor he was appointed to monitor all Criminal Justice departments and Native American affairs, as the Director of Criminal Justice and Indian Affairs. He culminated his twenty-five year career in corrections as Executive Deputy Commissioner of Corrections. Upon his retirement from NYS corrections, Ward lent his expertise as the Director of the Martin Luther King institute in Albany, served as the Superintendent of the Chester Correctional Facility in Chester, Pennsylvania and as director of the Harriet Tubman Home in Auburn, New York; and WHEREAS, Ward also held numerous leadership positions in his community. In his youth, he was a lineman on, and co-captain of, the Philip Schuyler High School Falcons football team. In adulthood, he served as a member of the Board of Education for the Albany City School District from 1989-1995 and as the president of the Albany School Board from 1993-1995. He advocated for improving the educational climate for all children and increasing the educational opportunities for underserved youth. A pioneer of his time, he aided in the opening of New Covenant Charter School, Albany’s very first charter school. Ward was president of the local Pop Warner Football League for more than twenty years. He played semi-pro football for the Metro- Mallers and loved to play a game of pick-up basketball. He was an enormous sports fan and lover of music. He enjoyed singing in his church choir, the Zion Chorale and held church leadership roles at local and national levels. He also had a passion for gourmet cooking but never revealed his secret infamous barbeque sauce recipe; and WHEREAS, Ward distinguished himself, receiving numerous awards for exemplary work and leadership, including the 1993 Governor's Award for African Americans of Distinction and the 2003 Harriet Tubman Man of Valor Distinguished Builder of the Dream Award. He was awarded the 1994 Urban League Education Award for outstanding service and innovative programs in the Albany school system. Ward received recognition for his dedicated service to New York from the Akwesasne Mohawks or the Ganiankeh reservation in the North Country who dubbed him, “Giant Whose Shadow Blocks Out the Sun and Frightens the Troopers Away"; WHEREAS, his most cherished position was that of husband, father, and friend. He was happily married to his loving wife Mary Ferguson DeWitt for over three decades, and was a dedicated father to his four children: Dane Pookrum, Deathrice DeWitt, Ward Taylor DeWitt, Jr., and Sara DeWitt, ensuring that, despite his ever-demanding career, he always had time to help with homework, attend dance recitals, sports games, and school events. He was a motivating force to all who knew him; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Common Council of the City of Albany honors the life and contributions of Ward Taylor DeWitt, Sr, a committed father, community giant, and an exemplary example advocacy and dedication, by renaming a portion of Hall Place “Ward Taylor DeWitt, Sr. Way” in his honor; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Common Council directs that two signs shall be produced reading “Ward Taylor DeWitt, Sr. Way,” which shall be placed in consultation with the Division of Traffic Engineering. To: Danielle Gillespie, City Clerk From: Joyce Love, Council Member, 3rd Ward Re: Common Council Legislation Supporting Memorandum Date: March 8, 2023 RESOLUTION 23.32.23R TITLE A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL HONORING THE LIFE AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF WARD TAYLOR DeWITT, SR. AND RENAMING A PORTION OF HALL PLACE IN HIS HONOR GENERAL PURPOSE OF LEGISLATION To officially celebrate the life and legacy of Ward Taylor DeWitt, Sr. and create an honorary street sign at the proposed location. NECESSITY FOR LEGISLATION AND ANY CHANGE TO EXISTING LAW To comply with the procedure and policy as established under Ordinance 37.102.19, for honorary street renaming. MAP OF HONORARY STREET RENAMING SIGNS The stars on the map below denote the proposed street sign locations. FISCAL IMPACT None Council Member Robinson introduced the following: RESOLUTION NUMBER 28.41.23R A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL HONORING REVEREND DOCTOR DAMONE PAUL JOHNSON AND RENAMING A PORTION OF SECOND STREET IN HIS HONOR WHEREAS, the Reverend Dr. Damone Paul Johnson is the Senior Pastor of the Metropolitan New Testament Mission Baptist Church of Albany, New York. Since he began his pastoral ministry in 2003, the church body has increased spiritually and numerically. Under his leadership, the church has grown in ministry and mission. Dr. Johnson led the ministry through the completion of a new edifice that facilitates the ministry needs of this growing and thriving congregation and the beloved community. In September 2022, a mortgage burning service was held to celebrate the retirement of a 25-year multi-million dollar mortgage, 15 years ahead of time; and WHEREAS, Dr. Johnson has earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Religion and Philosophy with a minor in Music from Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee, and a Master of Divinity degree from Colgate-Rochester Divinity School in Rochester, New York. In May 2007, Dr. Johnson was conferred the Doctor of Ministry degree with a concentration in Pastoral Preaching from Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, Indiana. He received the distinguished Dr. H. Beecher Hicks Jr. preaching award, demonstrating strong promise in preaching and pastoral ministry; and WHEREAS, Dr. Johnson serves as the Moderator of the Central Hudson Baptist Association. He also serves as the Vice President-at-Large of the Empire Baptist Missionary Convention Congress of Christian Education; and WHEREAS, he is the author of A Life Worth Rebuilding and Bonded Love: How God’s Love Shines Through Imperfect Relationships. Dedicated to the work of community, he is a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Beta Phi Lambda Chapter and serves as Chaplain for the Eastern Region. Dr. Johnson consistently serves as a guest lecturer at the University at Albany and has previously served as an adjunct professor for Martin University of Indianapolis. Committed to family, he is married to the former Angela D. Davis; and WHEREAS, his life verse is Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Walking in his purpose, Pastor Johnson has made a significant impact in Arbor Hill and the City of Albany at large. His commitment to the community and the flock that he shepherds has been immeasurable. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Common Council of the City of Albany celebrates Pastor Johnson and his commitment to loving and serving God and his community, by renaming a portion of Second Street “Reverend Dr. Damone Paul Johnson Way” in his honor; and  BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Common Council directs that two signs shall be produced reading “Reverend Dr. Damone Paul Johnson Way,” which shall be placed in consultation with the Division of Traffic Engineering. To: Danielle Gillespie, City Clerk From: Jahmel Robinson, Council Member, 5th Ward Re: Common Council Legislation Supporting Memorandum Date: March 15, 2023 RESOLUTION 28.41.23R TITLE A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL HONORING REVEREND DOCTOR DAMONE PAUL JOHNSON AND RENAMING A PORTION OF SECOND STREET IN HIS HONOR GENERAL PURPOSE OF LEGISLATION To officially celebrate the contributions and commitment of Reverend Dr. Damone Paul Johnson, and create an honorary street sign at the proposed location. NECESSITY FOR LEGISLATION AND ANY CHANGE TO EXISTING LAW To comply with the procedure and policy as established under Ordinance 37.102.19, for honorary street renaming. MAP OF HONORARY STREET RENAMING SIGNS The star(s) denote the proposed street sign locations. FISCAL IMPACT: None