City Council

CITY COUNCIL MEETING CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS, NEW YORK TUESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2001 CITY COUNCIL ROOM 7:00 P.M. P R E S E N T: Thomas Curley, Commissioner, Public Safety Kenneth Klotz, Mayor Michael Lenz, Commissioner, Finance Thomas McTygue, Commissioner, Public Works Bernard Mirling, Commissioner, Accounts A L S O P R E S E N T : Phillip Klein, Board of Supervisors Representative Anthony Scirocco, Board of Supervisors Representative STAFF PRESENT: Christine Gillmett-Brown, Deputy Commissioner, Finance Carol Kennedy, Deputy Commissioner, Accounts Robert King, Deputy Commissioner, Public Safety William McTygue, Deputy Commissioner, Public Works Jeffrey Wait, City Attorney MAYOR=S OFFICE Kathleen O’Brien, NYSDEC, Meeting Mayor Kenneth Klotz reported that he had recently met with Kathleen O’Brien of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Office in connection with the State’s Open Space Plan and the Karner Blue Butterfly. He said upon her request, he would forward a letter of support for the State’s Open Space Plan and in particular the Karner Blue butterfly’s relationship to that open space plan. Sister City Progress Mayor Kenneth Klotz reported that he had received communication from the Mayor of Chekhov with holiday greetings. He said the Mayor of Chekhov has invited representatives of the City to attend their lilac festival in May. Mayor Kenneth Klotz said who we should send, how it should be funded, etc., are issues that need to be discussed. City Attorney Department Salaries (01-01) Mayor Kenneth Klotz moved and Commissioner Bernard Mirling seconded to confirm the previous approval by memo for city attorney department salaries. Page 1 of 6 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, January 2, 2001 Mayor Kenneth Klotz said although these positions are technically part time, both the City Attorney and the Assistant City Attorney put in many hours. He said in both cases they are doing their jobs for a modest hourly salary. He said if this work was performed outside of City Hall it would cost the City much more. He said Jeff Wait is currently being paid what amounts to about $25/hour and if the City was to go outside for this service it would cost between $120and $170/hour. He said the estimates for this past year’s legal expenses as compared to the year before are down about $100,000. Mayor Kenneth Klotz said the City Attorney is alot of time looking at the legal cases and resolving them before sending to outside counsel. He said the proposed pay increase is still not quite a full and appropriate amount but it’s more than the small amount they currently receive. Commissioner Thomas Curley said although he had no problem with Assistant City Attorney Tony Izzo’s work, he would not support this motion. He said, though, since members of his department failed to be recognized with upgrades at the last meeting, he was not willing to approve this resolution. He said members of his department are being held hostage while other departments are now giving increases to employees. Commissioner Thomas McTygue said he had no problem supporting this motion. He pointed out that the City Attorney and the Assistant City Attorney are not part of the union. He said no group of employees is being held hostage. He reminded Commissioner Thomas Curley that he suggested that Commissioner Thomas Curley give of list of the positions/employees proposed for upgrades to the City’s negotiator. He said though the City’s negotiator had reported that the union is not anxious to come to the table and negotiate. He said the City’s negotiator needs to negotiate what is fair and equitable for all City Hall employees. Mayor Kenneth Klotz said there is a difference with these employees because they are appointed by him and not part of the union. Commissioner Michael Lenz said he would support this motion, but was still concerned that historically it has been the prerogative of a Council member to bring forth pay raises and historically those pay increases have been granted. He also pointed out that when comparing the City Attorney Department’s salaries to outside counsel there is a big difference in that outside counsel has overhead, therefore, their cost is more. He said he was not sure that the Mayor was comparing apples to applies. Mayor Kenneth Klotz agreed that there was an overhead issue, but said the City’s only alternative was to contract out for this service. Commissioner Michael Lenz said his other concern was that the Mayor had removed this money for these increases from his budget and was now asking for funding through the contingency fund. He said he would have preferred to see this money left in the Mayor’s initial budget Ayes: four; Nays: one (Commissioner Thomas Curley). Page 2 of 6 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, January 2, 2001 Appointments (01-02) Mayor Kenneth Klotz announced the appointment of the following individuals: Lou Schneider to the Planning Board and Steve Markovits to the Zoning Board of Appeals B both effective January 1, 2001. State of the City Address Mayor Kenneth Klotz informed Council members that will give a State of the City address at the Sheraton on January 21 at 3:00 p.m. Contract between the City and the School District Mayor Kenneth Klotz moved and Commissioner Thomas McTygue seconded to authorize the Mayor to sign the contract between the City and the School District in connection with rental of property and maintenance. He said this contract is similar to last year. Ayes all. ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENT Approval of December 19 Meeting Minutes Commissioner Bernard Mirling moved and Commissioner Thomas Curley seconded to approve the December 19 meeting minutes with a few minor corrections. Ayes all. FINANCE DEPARTMENT Payroll Commissioner Michael Lenz moved and Commissioner Thomas McTygue seconded to approve the following payrolls: December 22, 2000B$293,257.23; December 29, 2000-$307,075.12 and December 31, 2000 -- $53,735.46. Ayes all. Warrants Commissioner Michael Lenz moved and Mayor Kenneth Klotz seconded for the approval and payment of the 3DEC20 #2 through # 21 as follows: Page 3 of 6 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, January 2, 2001 General Fund $ 130,429.52 City Center Authority 20,410.49 Water Fund 51,929.24 Sewer Fund 11,738.00 Capital Projects Fund -0- Special Assessment District -0- Trust Fund -0- Debt Service -0- Community Development 14,036.08 TOTAL $ 228,543.33 and the MC201227 warrant #2-#6 as follows: General Fund $ 1,375,439.75 City Center Authority 12,424.65 Water Fund 3,992.38 Sewer Fund 381,182.93 Capital Projects Fund -0- Special Assessment District -0- Trust Fund -0- Debt Service -0- Community Development -0- TOTAL $ 1,773.039.71 Ayes all. Budget Amendments Commissioner Michael Lenz moved and Commissioner Thomas Curley seconded to approve the budget amendments as presented (Attachment A). Ayes all. Equipment Capital Reserve Expenditure Proposal (01-03) Commissioner Michael Lenz moved and Mayor Kenneth Klotz seconded to approve the Equipment Capital Reserve Expenditure Proposal as presented (Attachment B). Ayes all. City Owned Property to be Auctioned Commissioner Michael Lenz distributed a list of city owned parcels that are proposed to be auctioned. He said some of the parcels still need some consideration and review to determine if it is appropriate to auction. He said in some cases, it might be appropriate to offer the parcel to the adjacent property owner and issues such as those are still being reviewed. He said he would propose a motion at the next meeting to approve the list. Page 4 of 6 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, January 2, 2001 DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS Medworks Contract Renewal Commissioner Thomas McTygue moved and Commissioner Thomas Curley seconded to approve the contract with Medworks for drug testing for City employees. He said this contract was under the same terms and conditions as last year. Ayes all. Approve Bid Waive List B DPW & Utilities Commissioner Thomas McTygue moved and Commissioner Bernard Mirling seconded to approve the Bid Waive list as presented. He said these lists are quite similar to last year. Ayes all. D.A. Collins Invoice Commissioner Thomas McTygue moved and Commissioner Bernard Mirling seconded to approve payment on the invoice for D.A. Collins in the amount of $12,789.80 for work at the soccer fields. He said the City used some of D.A. Collins equipment with the agreement that the City would pay the labor costs. He said unfortunately the bill arrived on December 31, 2000. He said he was requesting that this be paid from the contingency fund and those funds be transferred to account number A-3031494-54740. Ayes all. Snow Removal Commissioner Thomas McTygue informed the public that snow removal in the downtown area would begin tomorrow and continue until Friday. He encouraged vehicle owners to read the snow emergency signs. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY Sidewalk Ordinance Commissioner Thomas Curley reminded property owners that snow removal must take place within 12 hours after a storm. He said there are now two code enforcement officers who are enforcing this ordinance. Commissioner Thomas McTygue suggested that both he and Commissioner Thomas Curley do a joint ad in the local newspaper advising property owners what to do after a storm. Commissioner Thomas Curley agreed. Mayor Kenneth Klotz asked if there was a mechanism for the City to clear the areas and then bill the property owners. Commissioner Thomas Curley said he would rather not get involved in doing that clearing. Page 5 of 6 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, January 2, 2001 Upgrades Commissioner Thomas Curley withdrew this item from discussion. Fire Truck Repairs Commissioner Thomas Curley informed Council members that the second aerial fire truck was not currently certified. He said this is a 1975 vehicle that needs about $13,000 to bring up to certification. He said without this certification there is potential liability for the City. He asked if there was any possibility on funding this expense. He said this vehicle need to be maintained. Mayor Kenneth Klotz clarified that there are two aerial trucks and this is the second one. Commissioner Thomas Curley said this truck is stationed at the West Avenue Fire Station. He said replacement of this vehicle is scheduled in three years but he was concerned about the liability of not having it certified at this time. Mayor Kenneth Klotz asked if the City spent $13,000 on this vehicle, would it then be certified. Commissioner Thomas Curley said yes. He further noted that if the City maintains this vehicle appropriately, the trade-in value would increase Commissioner Thomas Curley said he had some preliminary discussions with Commissioner Michael Lenz on whether funds from the capital budget could be used. Mayor Kenneth Klotz said he was not sure that maintenance could be funded through the capital budget. Commissioner Thomas McTygue said that unfortunately, situations such as these happen. He suggested the repairs be made and funding the repairs be reviewed at a later time. He reminded Council members that we are very early in the year and perhaps by the end of the year, Commissioner Thomas Curley could find the funds within his budget. Commissioner Thomas Curley said he would like a commitment from the Council that if at the end of the year he needed more money to fund this work the contingency line could be used. Council members agreed. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Bernard Mirling moved and Commissioner Michael Lenz seconded to adjourn the meeting at 7:35 p.m. Ayes all. There being no further business, Mayor Kenneth Klotz adjourned the meeting at 7:35 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Kathy Moran Approved: Clerk Page 6 of 6