City Council

CITY COUNCIL MEETING CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS, NEW YORK TUESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2000 CITY COUNCIL ROOM 7:00 P.M. PRESENT: Thomas Curley, Commissioner, Public Safety Kenneth Klotz, Mayor Michael Lenz, Commissioner, Finance Thomas McTygue, Commissioner, Public Works ABSENT: Bernard Mirling, Commissioner, Accounts ALSO PRESENT: Phillip Klein, Board of Supervisors Representative Anthony Scirocco, Board of Supervisors Representative STAFF PRESENT: Christine Gillmett-Brown, Deputy Commissioner, Finance Bob King, Deputy Commissioner, Public Safety William McTygue, Deputy Commissioner, Public Works Jeffrey Wait, City Attorney PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR Chris Whann, Saratoga Springs United Neighborhoods, said he was appearing this evening on behalf of that coalition in connection with the truck traffic/truck safety laws issue. He said this coalition supports the enhancement of truck enforcement and the request by the Commissioner of Public Safety for two new police vehicles and set of truck scales. MAYOR’S OFFICE Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation Grant Application - Gideon Putnam Cemetery (00-170) Mayor Kenneth Klotz moved and Commissioner Thomas McTygue seconded to support the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation (SSPF) Grant Application from the New York State Office of Parks and Recreation in the amount of $30,000 for restoration/rehabilitation work at the Gideon Putnam cemetery. Commissioner Thomas McTygue asked how this grant would be administered. Brooke Hobson, SSPF Director, said SSPF will act as the not-for-profit entity and oversee this grant by working with the West Side Neighborhood Organization. She said bids would be sought for this work. Commissioner Thomas McTygue asked what was the specific work to be performed. Brooke Hobson said they will Page 1 of 10 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, August 1, 2000 remove some stumps, build a wall around the Putnam family plot, temporary fencing, etc. She said they are hoping to get another grant next year in the same amount to handle the repair of the headstones. Commissioner Thomas McTygue suggested that his department could handle the stump removal portion and perhaps the head stone restoration work could then be done this year. Brooke Hobson said she would be willing to discuss that matter with Commissioner Thomas McTygue. Mayor Kenneth Klotz asked if this cemetery is included in any of the walking tours. Brooke Hobson said at one time it was included, however, because of the dilapidated condition it was removed from the tour. She said with this restoration work, though, it would be added to the tour again. She said the location of the cemetery falls in the Urban Heritage area. Ayes all. Approve $5,600 Allocation to Senior Center from Recreation Department Mayor Kenneth Klotz moved and Commissioner Thomas Curley seconded to approve the request by the Recreation Department to allocate $5,600 to the Senior Citizen’s Center. Commissioner Thomas Curley asked what would this money cover. Mayor Kenneth Klotz said this was a budgeted amount and it is a reallocation from the recreation department to the senior citizen center for ceramics, line dancing, pottery, stained-glass window classes, etc. Ayes all. Announcement - Library of Congress Local Legacies Mayor Kenneth Klotz reported that the City of Saratoga Springs had recently been identified in the Library of Congress brochure, which celebrates their bicentennial, in the local legacy program. He said the two local programs identified in this brochure are the Feast of St. Michael and Solomon Northup Day. He also noted that the Feast of St. Michael will be featured in the “Pulse of the Planet” on WMAC on August 19 at 8:30 a.m. and on August 20 at 9:00 a.m. Announcement - City Center Feasibility Study Mayor Kenneth Klotz said Mark Baker, City Center Director, had recently dropped off in his office copies of the proposals submitted for the City Center Feasibility Study. Mark Baker said it was the City Center Authority’s intent to keep the Council informed on this project. He said they would also like input from the Council on this matter. He said they will be reviewing these proposals over the next several weeks and hoped to have a recommendation to the Council in September. Mayor Kenneth Klotz asked about the cost of this study. Mark Baker said Page 2 of 10 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, August 1, 2000 that there was no projected cost listed in the RFP, however, the costs have come in at more than $30,000. Comprehensive Budget Proposal Mayor Kenneth Klotz said it was his intention to present to the Council this evening his ideas on how to handle the surplus both short and long term. He said though because Commissioner Bernard Mirling was not here this evening he suggested that a special meeting be held on Tuesday, August 8, at 7:00 p.m. Council members agreed. Commissioner Thomas Curley said he did not want to wait another week for Council approval to purchase the vehicles and asked for Council support tonight to order them. Mayor Kenneth Klotz said there is strong support among Council members for the truck enforcement program. Commissioner Thomas Curley said he would like to order these vehicles. Commissioner Michael Lenz said Commissioner Thomas Curley should not order vehicles without an official approval from the Council for that purchase. He said if the Council is in support of this request, perhaps a vote should be taken this evening and then further discussions could be held next week in context with the Mayor’s comprehensive plan. He said he had reviewed the estimated revenues in the budget and felt that there would be funds available for the purchase of these vehicles. Commissioner Thomas McTygue said he supported Mayor Kenneth Klotz’s request for a special meeting to discuss the comprehensive plan and felt that perhaps the approval to purchase these vehicles should wait another week. He said Commissioner Thomas Curley has a line item in his budget for the purchase of three vehicles and perhaps that line could be used to purchase these two new vehicles until an approval is given by the Council. Commissioner Thomas Curley said those funds have already been used. Commissioner Thomas Curley said there is a limited window of opportunity to order/purchase these vehicles and he was nearing the end of that window. He said if he had to wait another week, there was the possibility that this order could be shut out and they would have to wait until the fall when new specifications come out. Commissioner Thomas McTygue asked if the two police officers had been hired to fill these new positions. Commissioner Thomas Curley said those individuals will come from within the existing ranks. He said there is some training that must take place before they can do these truck inspections though. Commissioner Thomas Curley asked for the Council’s support this evening for the purchase of these vehicles. Mayor Kenneth Klotz said he would rather wait one more week. Commissioner Thomas Page 3 of 10 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, August 1, 2000 McTygue said if Commissioner Thomas Curley was concerned about transporting the scales, he would loan DPS a truck for that transportation. Mayor Kenneth Klotz said it seemed that the Council supported this request, however, it did not appear to have the support for approval this evening. Property Auction (00-071) Mayor Kenneth Klotz moved and Commissioner Michael Lenz seconded to approve the resolution (Attachment A) for the property auction as presented. He said the auction will be held on August 15, 4:00 p.m. He said there are two parcels, one on Fifth Avenue/Henning Road and a landlocked parcel on Ballston Avenue. Jeffrey Wait, City Attorney, said the minimum bid on the Henning Road parcel is $45,000 and $2,000 on the landlocked parcel. Commissioner Thomas McTygue noted that the Henning Road parcel is a clean sale for a buildable lot. Ayes all. Discussion - Property at Corner of South Broadway and Ballston Avenue Jeffrey Wait, City Attorney, said he had preliminary discussions with DEC on this parcel and according to DEC, it appears there is no off-site contamination. He said though if the City was to acquire ownership of this parcel, it would be likely that the City would become liable for the clean up. He informed the Council that he will talk to the State Attorney General’s Office concerning the expense of cleanup and whether the present owners could be held liable. Jeffrey Wait explained that remediation efforts can be somewhat complicated and lengthy and with testing, remediation efforts, retesting the process could take a few years. Mayor Kenneth Klotz asked about the possibility of removal of the existing gas station structure. Jeffrey Wait said there may be a way that the City could remove the structure, by working the Attorney General’s Office, but holding the current owner liable for all expenses incurred. Commissioner Thomas Curley asked where exactly is the contamination. Jeffrey Wait said the contamination came from the tanks, which have been removed. He said he was not sure how widespread the contamination was and whether the City might be able to acquire just a portion of the parcel. He said he would be having further discussions with both DEC and the Attorney General’s Office and he would report back to the council. Youth Parking Contract Amendment Mayor Kenneth Klotz moved and Commissioner Michael Lenz seconded to amend the youth parking contract with Chris Signor to include his wife’s name. Ayes all. Page 4 of 10 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, August 1, 2000 ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENT Approval of July 18 City Council Meeting Minutes Mayor Kenneth Klotz moved and Commissioner Thomas Curley seconded to approve the July 18 City Council meeting minutes with one minor correction. Ayes all. Commissioner of Deeds Mayor Kenneth Klotz announced the appointment of Barbara Harrison as a commissioner of deed. Award of Bid City Center Elevator Maintenance Contract Upon the recommendation of the City Center Authority, Mayor Kenneth Klotz moved and Commissioner Thomas Curley seconded to extend the contract to Millar Elevator Service of Latham, for elevator service through 2001, per their annual fee of $1,080. Ayes all. Award of Bid City Center Snowplowing/Sanding Contract Upon the recommendation of the City Center Authority, Mayor Kenneth Klotz moved and Commissioner Thomas Curley seconded to extend the contract with Peter J. Gailor Landscaping & Excavating for snowplowing/sanding services for the 2000/2001 season per the prices quoted. Ayes all. Award of Bid City Center Mid-Swing Low Energy Door Operator Upon the recommendation of the City Center Authority, Mayor Kenneth Klotz moved and Commissioner Thomas McTygue seconded to award the bid for the Mid-Swing Low Energy Door Operators to Door Control, Inc. of Hooksett, New Hampshire in the amount of $6,745.00 (lowest acceptable bidder). Ayes all. Award of Bid Reupholstery of Lobby Furniture Upon the recommendation of the City Center Authority, Mayor Kenneth Klotz moved and Commissioner Thomas Curley seconded to award the reupholstery contract for lobby furniture to Artistic Upholsterers in the amount of $8,010 (lowest acceptable bidder). Ayes all. Waive of Bid City Center Cellular One Phone Contract Page 5 of 10 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, August 1, 2000 Upon the recommendation of the City Center Authority, Mayor Kenneth Klotz moved and Commissioner Thomas McTygue seconded to waive the bid to Cellular One for cell phone contract per their quote. Ayes all. FINANCE OFFICE Payroll Commissioner Michael Lenz moved and Mayor Kenneth Klotz seconded to approve the following payrolls: July 21, 2000 - $303,723.01 and July 28, 2000 - $287,509.46. Ayes all. Warrants Commissioner Michael Lenz moved and Commissioner Thomas Curley seconded for the approval and payment of the 1AUG20 warrant #2 through #37 as follows: General Fund $ 621,009.00 City Center Authority 5,741.61 Water Fund 33,084.17 Sewer Fund 25,203.17 Capital Projects Fund 890.00 Special Assessment District -0- Trust Fund -0- Debt Service -0- Community Development 22,739.48 TOTAL $ 708,667.43 and the MC200726 warrant #2 - #5 as follows: General Fund $ 14,314.03 City Center Authority 9,983.57 Water Fund 586.92 Sewer Fund 1,245.11 Capital Projects Fund -0- Special Assessment District -0- Trust Fund -0- Debt Service -0- Page 6 of 10 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, August 1,2000 Community Development -0- TOTAL $ 26,129.63 Ayes all. Budget Amendments Commissioner Michael Lenz moved and Mayor Kenneth Klotz seconded to approve the budget amendments as presented (Attachment B). Ayes all. Budget Transfers Commissioner Michael Lenz moved and Mayor Kenneth Klotz to approve the budget transfers as presented (Attachment C). Ayes all. Quarterly Revenue Report Deputy Commissioner Christine Gillmett-Brown distributed the second quarter revenue report for 2000. She said they used the major revenue streams and compared those streams from the actual 1999 & 2000 and the budgeted 2000 amount. She pointed out that most revenue streams had increased. She said a few have decreased, however, and that was due to timing. Mayor Kenneth Klotz asked about the increase in the sales tax revenue and whether it was significant or was it due to timing. Deputy Commissioner Christine Gillmett-Brown said the revenue fluctuates each month, but they have primarily seen an increase each month. She said they will continue to watch that revenue closely. Mayor Kenneth Klotz asked about the mortgage tax revenue. Deputy Commissioner Christine Gillmett-Brown said it was a timing issue. Mayor Kenneth Klotz asked about end of year projections. Deputy Commissioner Christine Gillmett-Brown said it was too difficult, because we are only half way through the year, to make any projections on year end revenues. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS Discussion Farmer’s Market Commissioner Thomas McTygue said he had been informed by Assemblyman D’Andrea’s Office that there might be some grant funding that the City could be eligible for improvements at the Farmer’s Market area. He said he had been working with the Open Space Project representatives in applying for those funds. He said there are two grants available (one that would require a 50 percent match and one that would be wholly funded). Commissioner Thomas McTygue said it was his intention to make an application for these grants by the September deadline. Page 7 of 10 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, August 1,2000 Mayor Kenneth Klotz asked for what would the funding be used. Commissioner Thomas McTygue said for the proposed parking area at the north end of the High Rock Avenue park and the proposed stairway from the City Center parking lot down to this area. Discussion Veteran’s Bricks Commissioner Thomas McTygue reported that 950 veterans bricks had been sold to date. He said they have another order of 310 ready to go, however, they would like to get 90 more orders to make an even 400. He reported that so far $35,000 had been set aside for the perpetual care of the War Memorial. He encouraged interested residents who have not purchased a brick to do so. Waive of Bid Compost Screen Commissioner Thomas McTygue moved and Commissioner Thomas Curley seconded to waive the bid for the rental of a screen from Contractor Sales & Services in the amount of $2,000 plus delivery. Ayes all. Congress Park Commissioner Thomas McTygue informed Council members that two individuals had been apprehended in Congress Park for pouring dye on the Katrina Task stairway. He said these individuals were caught due in great part to the new cameras placed throughout the park. Special Olympics Mayor Kenneth Klotz said he had heard many good comments concerning both DPW and DPS on their assistance during the Special Olympics 5K race. He said the efforts of the City employees were greatly appreciated by the event organizers. HUB Parking Lot/Deck Commissioner Thomas McTygue informed Council members that he recently met with members of the special assessment district concerning the possibility of constructing a parking deck at the Hub parking lot on Church Street. He said the City will do some test digs during September to see what Page 8 of 10 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, August 1,2000 the viability of constructing this deck might be. Christmas Decorations Commissioner Thomas McTygue informed Council members that he recently met with members of the Special Assessment District concerning Christmas decorations in the downtown area. He said perhaps it might be possible for the SAD to hold some type of fundraiser to completely fund the cost of these new decorations. He said this is a generous community, as was shown during the Spit & Spat Fundraiser, and he was sure that the necessary funds could be raised all at one time rather than dragging out this process over the next five years. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY Waive of Bid DARE Reimbursement Commissioner Thomas Curley moved and Commissioner Thomas McTygue seconded to confirm the previous approval by memo for the DARE reimbursement in the amount of $1,293.43. Ayes all. Truck Enforcement Funding Request Commissioner Thomas Curley said he did not want to belabor the point, however, he had a small window of opportunity available to him to order these police vehicles this year. Commissioner Thomas Curley moved and Commissioner Michael Lenz seconded to approve the purchase to two police vehicles in the amount of $70,278.82. Mayor Kenneth Klotz said he has struggled with the budget issue for quite some time now. He said it has been increasingly a more difficult issue because of the budget surplus. He said he understood there was a need for this equipment, however, he was hoping that Commissioner Thomas Curley could wait one more week for this approval. He said he would not support this motion this evening. He further noted that a letter from Margie VanMeter had been received this evening on the truck enforcement issue. Commissioner Thomas McTygue again offered to let Commissioner Thomas Curley borrow one of his trucks to transport the scales. Page 9 of 10 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, August 1,2000 Commissioner Thomas Curley said he wanted a commitment by the Council for this purchase. Roll call vote: Commissioner Michael Lenz aye Commissioner Thomas McTygue nay Commissioner Thomas Curley aye Mayor Kenneth Klotz nay Motion denied. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Thomas McTygue moved and Mayor Kenneth Klotz seconded to adjourn the meeting at 8:10 p.m. Ayes all. There being no further business, Mayor Kenneth Klotz adjourned the meeting at 8:10 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Kathy Moran Clerk Approved: Page 10 of 10