City Council

CITY COUNCIL MEETING CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS, NEW YORK TUESDAY, JUNE 5, 2001 CITY COUNCIL ROOM 6:00 P.M. PRESENT: Thomas Curley, Commissioner, Public Safety Michael Lenz, Commissioner, Finance Thomas McTygue, Commissioner, Public Works Bernard Mirling, Commissioner, Accounts ABSENT: Kenneth Klotz, Mayor ALSO PRESENT: Phillip Klein, Board of Supervisors Representative Anthony Scirocco, Board of Supervisors Representative STAFF PRESENT: Bruce Brown, Deputy Commissioner, Public Works Christine Gillmett-Brown, Deputy Commissioner, Finance Carol Kennedy, Deputy Commissioner, Accounts Robert King, Deputy Commissioner, Public Safety Jeffrey Wait, City Attorney Commissioner Michael Lenz informed everyone that Mayor Kenneth Klotz had gone home from the hospital today. Commissioner Michael Lenz said on behalf of the City Council he wished him well and a speedy recovery. PUBLIC HEARING Comprehensive Plan Commissioner Michael Lenz said this is a public hearing on a set of proposed amendments to the City=s Comprehensive Plan. He said these amendments were prepared by the Comprehensive Plan Review Committee and transmitted to the City Council on May 21, 2001. He said this is the second set of amendments to the Plan that were prepared by the Committee. He said the first set of amendments was adopted by the City Council last November. Commissioner Michael Lenz said these proposed changes focus on amendments to the Development Plan map for the outer areas of the City. He said the committee has proposed the establishment of a new AConservation Development District@ which would allow low density residential development in areas where the rural character is to preserve and near the sensitive environmental areas in the outer district. He said one of the amendments also eliminates the Southern Weibel Special Development area. Page 1 of 19 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, June 5, 2001 Commissioner Michael Lenz said the other important change to the plan is the addition of an implementation program and schedule. He said the committee has recommended a set of actions that should be implemented immediately, short-term and medium term. Commissioner Michael Lenz said copies of the draft amendments have been posted on the City Hall WEB page and displayed in the public library as well as in City Hall. He said any written comments on the amendments should be submitted to the Mayor=s Office on or before noon on Friday, June 15, 2001. Commissioner Michael Lenz said that state law requires the Saratoga County Planning Board issue an advisory opinion on the plan. He said we have been told that the County=s advisory opinion will not be issued until June 21, 2001. Therefore, the City Council=s vote on the adoption of the proposed amendments is tentatively scheduled for the July 3, 2001 meeting. Commissioner Michael Lenz said because he anticipated a large number of people who may wish to speak, he would limit their time to three minutes. Commissioner Michael Lenz then opened the public hearing. Joe Dalton, 14 Loughberry Road, representing the Chamber of Commerce, thanked the Comprehensive Review Plan Committee for their efforts. He said though he was concerned that these proposed revisions were not unanimous. He said the Chamber of Commerce has a few areas of concern: the two acre zoning, clustering, rezoning the prime industrial park and the South Broadway area. He said Saratoga Springs is the fourth largest City geographically in New York State. He displayed a map showing that 28 percent of the total acreage in Saratoga Springs is wetlands; 12 percent is not developable because it is owned by the state and 12 percent is not developable because it is owned by the City. He then displayed several more maps showing that only approximately 15 percent of the total land in Saratoga Springs is developable. He said the vast majority of land in Saratoga Springs is green and will remain green because it is already owned. Paul MacMillin, 57 Hutchins Road, said he was unhappy with the proposed zoning on the south side of Hutchins Road on his parcel. He said he would like the existing zoning to remain. Jeff Kelly, 28 Excelsior Avenue, said he was in favor of preserving open space. He said he liked the two acre zoning because it would attract wealthier people. He said though he was concerned with the potential development along Route 29 and the lake. He said there is already a lot of traffic along Lake Avenue. He said he would like to see exit 14 left alone with no development. Page 2 of 19 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, June 5, 2001 Cindy Hollowood, 144 Fifth Avenue and manager of the Holiday Inn, said she was concerned with the plan=s failure to address affordable housing. She reminded Council members that the predominant employers in this area are in the service related industry. She said of the 120 employees at the Holiday Inn, less than ten percent live in the City. She said rents are excessive for hourly wage earners and she would like to see this community affordable to everyone. She said there should be some consideration given to building apartments along the bus routes. She said she was also concerned with the elimination of the Southern Weibel Special Development area. She said this area is close to the Northway and offers easy access. She said an office park would improve the utility services and it would be self contained. She said if such a district was placed on the west side, it would only increase the downtown traffic. She said zoning the Weibel Avenue area for expensive homes simply did not make sense. She pointed out that the recent census shows the many of the young people in this area are leaving due to lack of jobs and expensive homes. Ageo Frizzera, 88 Dyer Switch Road, said he was concerned with the area east of the Northway, on the Saratoga Springs Fish Creek side. He said much of the zoning in that area is for two acre lots. He said the proposed plan should be consistent with what currently exists. He said he did not want to see zoning from less than an acre to two acres in close proximity to one another. He said the Council needs to keep in mind the current residents, future residents and developers. He said a good balance needs to be determined. Matt Dorsey, attorney representing Margaret Pitney (West Avenue property owner). He said the Pitney farm is currently located on the southern end of West Avenue and is currently zoned under the Southern West Avenue Special Development area which allows for agricultural, recreational and light industrial. He said Margaret Pitney wishes her parcel to remain part of the existing district and not to place it in the Conservation Development District. He said there are far too many restrictions on housing development in that district. He said though there are no plans at this time to change the existing use. He urged the Council to keep this farm under the existing designation of Southern West Avenue Special Development District. Barbara Thomas, representing the League of Women Voters, read from a prepared statement. She said that they believe the proposed changes to the comprehensive plan are consistent with the state wide position on urban sprawl and land use. She said this plan moves towards the conservation of natural resources and the improvement of the quality of life. She said the proposed conservation development district will balance the open space and natural resource protection with reasonable development. She said the League of Women Voters endorses the following benefits: 1) open space and natural resource protection considerations guide the design process; 2) significant networks of open land are facilitated through the development process while enhancing the value of homes; an 3) developers can provide a diversified housing market. Page 3 of 19 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, June 5, 2001 Susan Rowland, 16 Friar Tuck Way said the west side is significantly impacted by Pallette Stone Quarry. She said residents in this area would like to keep a good buffer between that business and the residential homes. She said if the green space buffer was removed there would be a significant increase in noise and dust. She said she appreciated the revisions to the comprehensive plan and felt that it was a good compromise. Bob Pascuillo, 1 Beach Court, said he was a member of the original comprehensive plan committee. He said he was one of the members who did not support that plan. He asked that the Council consider the legacy to future generations through a lasting open space plan. He said he wants to keep the ACity in the Country@ theme. He said this Council should ensure that developers are not allowed to clear cut and ravage this City. He urged the Council to preserve the open space plan. Bruce Conklin, Stephens Court, said open space is a great thing but land owners should perhaps be compensated for leaving open space. He said the Council should consider a density bonus. He also suggested the Council consider a parallel road along running along the east side of the Northway. He said commercial development should be considered between exit 15 and the southbound exit at Crescent Avenue. He said the City also needs to think about improving the commercial tax base. He said this City has also been remiss in serving low to moderate income families and housing should be a priority for those individuals. He said the Council also needs to make a truck route a priority with a specific route established from the Pallette Stone Quarry to Grande Industrial Park. Theresa Capozzola, 57 Gilbert Road, thanked Joe Dalton for displaying the maps of the developable area in the City. She said she was glad to see that much of the City cannot be developed. She said the City needs to be careful with density and clustering should be considered, however, it should be based on two acre zoning. She said there are traffic concerns to be considered. She also pointed out that the schools are overburden. She said the office complex behind the Stewart=s violates the principles of the comprehensive plan. She said the core of the City should have the business development and it should not be allowed to creep to the outer district. She said if there is development in this area, roads would be constructed which in turn would increase the development. She pointed out that there is more than 200,000 square feet of office space already available in this City (Hannaford Plaza at exit 15, Pfeil parcel at exit 15, etc.) She pointed out that the Grande Industrial Park, the old Grand Union on West Avenue and the Brause building on Broadway are not filled. John Baker, 43 Long Alley, Gaffney=s downtown business owner, said he was concerned about balance. He said it was his impression that the Conservation Development District equated to no development. He said he owns six acres on South Broadway for which 1.5 acres is zoned Commercial-3 and the remaining 4.5 acres would now be zoned in the Conservation Development District. He said that new plan does not take into consideration that there is a new gateway to the City along the South Broadway corridor. He said utilities are needed in this area and this new Page 4 of 19 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, June 5, 2001 plan makes that impossible. He said green space is nice but forever wild is not good. John DeMarco, 27 Underwood Drive, said he was concerned about this blacktop desert that surrounds the City. He said Saratoga Springs is the oasis in the middle of that desert. He said the issues seemed simple, keep the oasis or do the blacktop. He said there is an historic fabric in this City that needs to be maintained. He said though that developers are an asset. Tom Roohan, Roohan Realty, said building homes is not bad. He said a good majority of property owners in this area are owners of second homes. He said Birch Run has 85 homes and the average cost of a home in that development was $221,000 with only two students being picked up for school; Lakeside at Riley the average cost of a home is $337,000 with one student being picked up and Interlaken the average cost of a home is $190,000 with 14 students being picked up. He said these types of development do not have large families. He said generally speaking, large lots mean expensive homes. He said the average in the City was $418,000 for a home with two acres. He noted though that variety, creativity and affordability is essential. He said creativity should be encouraged. Matt McCabe, Pipe Rock Circle, said he was concerned about the commercial development in the Weibel Avenue area. He asked that the Council consider tabling any vote on his matter this evening. He said a truck bypass should be a priority in this City. He said the west side of the City is undergoing a renaissance and asked if there was anything that could be done with the old dump. He said though there is still space downtown that needs to be filled. Tom Torgensen, 258 Caroline Street, said the Council should look at this through the eyes of a five year old child. He said consideration should be given to the difference it will make to a child. Nancy Holzman, 30 Crommelin Drive, said she moved here from Boston because of the harmony she found here. She said both the commerce and culture is good. She said 30 years ago there was not a good balance in the City but there is now. She said the residents are now the beneficiaries of successful and timely development. She said the beauty of this City lies in what we have as well as what we don=t have. She was concerned that increased development would negatively impact the schools. She said the new renovations at the schools could be obsolete before they are used. She said the City needs a good balance. Michael Welti, Avery Street, said the Conservation Development District does not mean no development. He said there should be some creative designs for subdivisions. He said this plan is pro smart development. He said there have been a lot of successes in the downtown area. He said there has been positive development which is consistent with the City in the County theme. He said there should not be any development at the exit 14 area. He also said a parallel road along the Northway is not appropriate. Page 5 of 19 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, June 5, 2001 Lyn Bachner, 30 Longwood Drive said she was concerned with the development in the exit 15 area. She said she was concerned about the increased traffic and the City=s infrastructure. She said she was concerned how this increased development would affect the City in the Country feeling. She said the gateways to the City are rural and should remain so. She asked the Council to accept the majority decision of the Comprehensive Plan Committee. Amy Durland, said this plan is based on growth which also allows for preservation. She said she was concerned about the amount of office space that could be filled by this community. She said the traffic in the City is much worse because of the increased residential and commercial development in Wilton. She said the development of the Weibel Avenue area would certainly affect the east side of the City and she encouraged the Council to ensure that a traffic study be done on the Lake Avenue/Weibel Avenue corridor. Larry Toole, 30 Longwood Drive, said he supported this plan. He said he recently moved here because there is a sense of community in this city. He said he did not want to see urban sprawl. He said he too was concerned about increased traffic in the Weibel Avenue area. He said he would like assurances that the buffer along the Northway is maintained. Joanne Farrell, 29 Longwood Avenue, said she recently asked the high school principal about hosting a German foreign exchange student. She said she was told that there would be no foreign exchange students because the school is too overcrowded. She said although she lives on the east side of the City, her daughter is not able to walk to the ice rink because of the traffic. She asked the Council to proceed slowly with this plan. Mona Bender Zuckerman, Meadowbrook Road, said she likes the parks and trees but was concerned about the lack of compensation for property owners who own parcels that are currently zoned commercial and where it might be changed to another designation. Andy Anderson, Weibel Avenue, said open space should not be the only factor for consideration in this plan. He said we need a good balance and he did not believe there was any compelling reason why the existing plan should be changed. He said he did not want to lose the ability to develop his land on Weibel Avenue. He said Weibel Avenue is not appropriate for homeowners but rather it would be more appropriate for an office park. Patricia Colby, 9 Roberts Lane, said she supported this plan and urged the Council to accept it. Sam Brewton, 206 2 Lake Avenue, said the Council needed to look at all of the sides. He said this plan did not advocate for no development. He said there should be some consideration given to compensating the landowners where the designation might change. Page 6 of 19 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, June 5, 2001 Mike Toohey, 30 Longwood drive, said if the Council was to look at this plan as if they were five years old, it would be likely that they would not live in this community when they reached maturity because they could not afford to. He said this plan does not afford the opportunity to allow individuals to both live and work here. He said he was concerned that there was not a consensus on this proposal by the committee. He said 5/4 votes decided every major issue in this proposed plan. He said the City grows at the rate of .5 percent each year. He said the amount of green space that is undevelopable in this City is astronomical. He said he was concerned that the conservancy districts would eliminate the ability to ever develop a parcel. He said the Council would lose the right to ever develop a parcel with that designation. Again, he said he was very concerned that the comprehensive plan committee could not reach a majority agreement on these issues. He said the Council should send this plan back to the committee for further review. Lawrence Levine, 4 Victoria Lane, said the last traffic study done on the east side was in 1990. he said there has been a lot of development in this area since that time and there are also a lot of projects that have not yet begun construction. He urged the Council to review existing DOT documents on traffic flows on state roads and he also urged the Council to do a traffic study in this area. Sid Hellmen, 672 Crescent Avenue, said traffic is an issue. He wondered if he and his family would be able to walk through the new developments in his area of the City or would they be closed developments. He said he was also concerned with speeding traffic in this area and asked for more patrols. Karem Odekon, 5 Saratoga Circle, said he would like to see the natural resources of the City maintained. He said he would also like to see more affordable housing. Lew Benton, 29 Thoroughbred Drive, said the City=s population growth had been modest, but that was not the only issue. He said this City has the fourth largest housing starts in this area. He said retail is expanding in Saratoga County. He said the City exports more than $20 million in sales tax, admission tax, hotel tax and OTB revenue and the City gets only $5.73 million in return. He said the City needs more jobs to allow the families with children to thrive in this community. He said Saratoga Springs has the most significant economy in the area. There being no one else wishing to speak, Commissioner Michael Lenz closed the public hearing. CALL TO ORDER Commissioner Michael Lenz called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Commissioner Michael Lenz Page 7 of 19 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, June 5, 2001 again stated for those who had just tuned in that the Mayor had recently gone home from the hospital and he and the entire Council wished him a safe and speedy recovery. Appearance -- Remigia Foy Commissioner Michael Lenz said Mayor Kenneth Klotz had sent a letter to Remigia Foy in response to her request for the Privilege of the Floor. Commissioner Michael Lenz read from that letter stating that the Mayor believed that the Privilege of the Floor was an inappropriate place for her concerns on the carousel, but that he would add her to his agenda. Commissioner Michael Lenz said the Mayor had informed Remigia Foy that she would be allowed five minutes to make her presentation and then the opposing side would also be allowed five minutes. Remigia Foy said there had been a previous statement about the City being an oasis. She said she would like to see a park in the City. She then yielded her time to Larry Benton. Larry Benton, Fifth Avenue, said he did not speak for everyone but there were many united in the thought that the carousel should not be located in the park. He said there was a lot of support years ago to save the carousel, but there is a difference of opinion on where it should be located. He said this is really an amusement ride located inside a large structure. He said the structure is 60 feet in diameter and approximately four stories tall. He said the May 1998 decision was done without the opportunity for the public to debate the matter. He said the design of the building is beautiful but this is not a design issue. He pointed out that the chair of the Design Review Commission stated that the process had been flawed. He said the Friends of Congress Park were willing to work with the Council on identifying another location and he then asked the Council to reverse its decision. Bob Israel, developer, said the pastoral scene that the Friends of Congress Park were seeking was for the state park. He said that Congress Park is different from that type of space. He reminded everyone that there is a carousel located in the middle of the mall in Washington, D.C. He said this carousel belongs in the downtown area. He said the placement of the carousel in Congress Park is an affirmation of Commissioner Thomas McTygue=s leadership. He said Commissioner Thomas McTygue=s leadership has benefitted this City tremendously. He said the Friends of Congress Park may have good intentions, but this carousel was not the same as previous proposals, i.e., Holiday Inn, which was proposed for the park. Leslie Dana, 173 Spring Street, submitted information to the Council on this matter. She said she was concerned about the safety issues. She said she looked for a traffic study and environmental study on this area of the City which she was not able to find. She said she was concerned about placing this carousel so close to the intersection. She also suggested that placing the carousel in the park changes the classification for the park concerning amusement devices and that issues such as assemblage and inspection must be adhered to. She said this should be a citywide project and not a DPW project. Page 8 of 19 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, June 5, 2001 Commissioner Michael Lenz thanked the presenters for their comments. Sister City Agreement with Chekhov, Russia (01-083) Susan Farnsworth, member of the committee which traveled to Chekhov, said they worked for many months to identify a sister city. She said Chekhov is located 76 miles south of Moscow. She said this committee traveled, at no expense to the City, and met with the Mayor, education officials, social services officials and many others. She said Chekhov has many of the same industries that Saratoga Springs has. She said they visited schools, daycare facilities, medical facilities, museums, local industries, etc. She said there recently had been some American industry which have opened plants there. She said an agreement was signed on May 22 by the two mayors. She said they are optimistic about the union between the two and will soon have students exchanging letters. Appointments (01-084) Commissioner Michael Lenz announced the appointment of Bob Israel and Rick Higgins to the committee on providing information on the not-for-profits located on the west side. Pump Station Voucher Amendment Commissioner Michael Lenz said the Council had previously approved a voucher for payment to Seiwert in the amount of $240,000 for two pumps. He said the company that the City should be paying is Gorman Rupp and the final cost is $248,500 Commissioner Michael Lenz then moved and Commissioner Thomas Curley seconded to approve the payment to Gorman Rupp in the amount of $248,500 for the two pumps. Ayes all. Commissioner Michael Lenz asked about the County funding. He said it was his understanding that the City would get approximately $200,000 from the County for this job. Phil Klein, Supervisor, said he and Jeff Wait, City Attorney had met with Quadgraphics and representatives from other companies in Grande Industrial Park. He said they are working on a plan which will benefit all interested parties. He said if Quadgraphics signs an agreement with the City, the City in turn can sign the agreement with the County. Commissioner Michael Lenz asked if the jobs were not created what was the likelihood that the City could get the money. Phil Klein said it was his understanding that the jobs were there. He said the jobs have to be guaranteed. Commissioner Thomas McTygue pointed out the Quadgraphics recently made a commitment with the state for 165 jobs. He asked if that number could be used again. He said the City moved ahead on this work with the commitment from the County that the City would receive these funds. Phil Klein said there was no commitment from the County. Commissioner Thomas McTygue said the County asked the City to match the funds and the City moved ahead in good faith. He said the Page 9 of 19 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, June 5, 2001 lack of funding from the County now puts the water tower in jeopardy. He suggested that perhaps one of the state senators be contacted on this issue. Phil Klein agreed that he was baffled by Quadgraphics reluctance to sign the agreement. He said he would continue to urge Jeff Wait to talk to Quadgraphics to convince them that this is the best thing to do. Jeff Wait said there is no penalty clause with the state in that agreement. He said if Quadgraphics did not produce the jobs they simply would receive less credits. He said it is now Quadgraphics position that they should not be the only company subject to this agreement. He said Quadgraphics has stated that if there are other companies willing to participate then perhaps they would participate. He said it is Quadgraphics position that they do not believe they will produce the 150 needed jobs because much of their new work will be automated. Therefore, they are hesitant to sign the agreement because of the penalty clause. Commissioner Thomas McTygue asked if the County could waive the penalty. Phil Klein said the state has a claw back clause. Jeff Wait said it was not a claw back but rather they simply receive less credit. Phil Klein said he would still like to continue to work with all of the parties to make this agreement work. He said this is a vital project that can be made to work. Commissioner Thomas McTygue said the water tower project is on hold until this agreement is signed. Commissioner Michael Lenz said there is agreement that the pump stations needed to be done. Phil Klein said the negotiations needed to continue. Jeff Wait said Ball Metal will not commit to this agreement and it would be a matter of having separate agreements will all interested parties. He said there needs to be this commitment from the companies if the funds are to be received. 17 Traffic Signals (01-085) Commissioner Michael Lenz moved and Commissioner Thomas Curley seconded to authorize the Mayor to sign the design contract for the 17 traffic signals with Sear Brown. Paul Male said this is a formality required for the funding process. He said he had spoken to the Traffic Department on this issue. He said the total amount of the project is at $840,000 which is funded 80 percent by a federal grant and 20 percent match from the City. He said much of the City=s match comes from the Brause project. Paul Male said he hoped to go out to bid later this month for the signals. He said originally this contract was for 21 signals, however, it was now for 17 because the City has already replaced 4. Ayes all. Introduction of Student Intern Commissioner Michael Lenz said earlier this year the Council agreed to participate in the Cities for Climate Protection Campaign. He said this program is designed to help local communities to Page 10 of 19 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, June 5, 2001 record greenhouse gas emissions. He said the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives is providing funding for an intern this summer. He said the City=s intern for the summer is Nikki Olsen who is a graduate student in Public Affairs at Indiana University. He said Nikki Olsen will work out of the Mayor=s Officer over the next ten weeks and her principal tasks will be to compile a baseline emissions inventory and prepare a forecast of emissions growth. He said she will inventory our buildings and building operations, vehicle fleets, solid wastes and other emissions sources. Commissioner Michael Lenz said in order to compile this inventory, Nikki Olsen will need to collect a good deal of data from the various City departments and to also interview key personnel. She will be making the required inquiries and contacts herself and the Mayor would appreciate everyone=s cooperation. The Mayor has asked Nikki Olsen to make periodic progress report to the Council during the summer. Commissioner Michael Lenz welcomed Nikki Olsen. Approval of Youth Parking Fees (01-086) Commissioner Michael Lenz moved and Commissioner Bernard Mirling seconded to approve the 2001 youth parking fees as presented. Ayes all. Local Law #3 2001 B Delegation of Authority to the Chief of Police (01-087) Commissioner Michael Lenz moved and Commissioner Thomas Curley seconded to approve Local Law #3 2001 B Delegation of Authority to the Chief of Police as presented. Ayes all. Issue Quit Claim Deeds B Ballston Avenue and Kaydeross Avenue Jeff Wait said there are two separate matters this evening. He said there are paper streets along properties that the City has no ownership interest in. He said the Real Estate Committee has reviewed both of the matters. Jeff Wait said one of the paper streets is located along old West Avenue and the YMCA wishes to purchase the paper street. He said before they can purchase the adjacent parcel and to gain title insurance they need to clear up this issue. Matthew Jones, attorney representing the YMCA, said the YMCA proposes to purchase one half of the street and the adjacent property owner will purchase the other. Commissioner Thomas McTygue said he would like to see this transfer of the quit claim deed to take place after the closing for the YMCA. Jeff Wait said that in order for them to obtain total insurance they need to clear up this matter first. Jeff Wait said this transfer will take place at the time of closing. Page 11 of 19 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, June 5, 2001 Jeff Wait said the other parcel is located on Kaydeross Avenue near P.J.=s Barbeque. Commissioner Michael Lenz moved and Commissioner Thomas Curley seconded to authorize the Mayor to sign the quit claim deed to the YMCA for the Old West Avenue parcel and that the issuance of this deed is contingent upon the closing. Ayes all. Commissioner Michael Lenz moved and Commissioner Bernard Mirling seconded to authorize the Mayor to sign the quit claim deed to Carolyn & P.J. Davis for the paper street along their parcel. Ayes all. ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENT Approval of May 15 meeting minutes Commissioner Bernard Mirling moved and Commissioner Thomas Curley seconded to approve the May 15 meeting minutes. Ayes all. Award of Bid B Chemicals Upon the recommendation of the Department of Public Works, Commissioner Bernard Mirling moved and Commissioner Thomas McTygue seconded to award the bid for chemicals to Slack Chemical Company, JCI Jones Chemicals, Surpass Chemical Company, Thatcher Company of New York, Faesy & Besthoff and Holland Company (low bidders). Ayes all. Award of Bid B Hand Tools Upon the recommendation of the Department of Public Works, Commissioner Bernard Mirling moved and Commissioner Thomas McTygue seconded to award the bid for hand tools to J.E. Sawyer for various prices (low bidder). Ayes all. Award of Bid B Stump Grinder Upon the recommendation of the Department of Public Works, Commissioner Bernard Mirling moved and Commissioner Thomas McTygue seconded to award the bid for a stump grinder to Vermeer Northeast for $31,243 (only bidder meeting specifications). Ayes all. Award of RFP B Environmental Control B City Vault Upon the recommendation of the Records Department, Commissioner Bernard Mirling moved and Commissioner Michael Lenz seconded to award the contract for environmental controls for the City Page 12 of 19 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, June 5, 2001 Clerk=s vault to Smart-Energy Company in the amount of $10,240. This project is funded by a grant from the State Archives and Records Administration Local Government Record Management Improvement Fund. Ayes all. Executive Session Commissioner Bernard Mirling withdrew his request for an executive session. FINANCE DEPARTMENT Payroll Commissioner Michael Lenz moved and Commissioner Thomas Curley seconded to approve the following payrolls: May 18, 2001 - $294,360.79; May 25, 2001 --$301,671.32 and June 1, 2001 - $313,769.48. Ayes all. Warrants Commissioner Michael Lenz moved and Commissioner Bernard Mirling seconded for the approval and payment of the 1JUN01 #2 - #37 as follows: General Fund $ 399,104.47 City Center Authority 4,686.32 Water Fund 51,908.32 Sewer Fund 4,409.65 Capital Projects Fund 26,554.83 Special Assessment District 500.00 Trust Fund 492.50 Debt Service -0- Community Development $ 8,139.99 TOTAL $ 495,796.08 and MC010523 #2 - #6 as follows: General Fund $ 46,467.04 City Center Authority 10,253.35 Water Fund 2,200.00 Sewer Fund 853.94 Capital Project -0- Special Assessment District -0- Trust Fund -0- Debt Service -0- Community Development $ -0- Page 13 of 19 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, June 5, 2001 TOTAL $ 54,774.33 and MC010530 #2 - #4 as follows: General Fund $ 6,860.92 City Center Authority -0- Water Fund 3,349.74 Sewer Fund 1,902.21 Capital Project -0- Special Assessment District -0- Trust Fund -0- Debt Service -0- Community Development $ -0- TOTAL $ 12,112.87 Ayes all. Budget Amendments Commissioner Michael Lenz moved and Commissioner Bernard Mirling seconded to approve the budget amendments as presented (Attachment A). Ayes all. Budget Transfers Commissioner Michael Lenz moved and Commissioner Bernard Mirling seconded to approve the budget transfers as presented (Attachment B). Ayes all. Appointment to GASB 34 Implementation Committee (01-088) Deputy Commissioner Christine Gillmett-Brown said that GASB (Governmental Accounting Standards Board) is a new accounting method that the City must now follow in connection with the City=s infrastructure. She said according to these new standards, values must be placed on all of the City=s infrastructure. She said the City currently reports on fixed assets. Deputy Commissioner Christine Gillmett-Brown said this is a big undertaking which she could not manage herself and asked that Commissioners appoint the appropriate people to a committee to work on this project. She suggested the following individuals be included: Paul Male and Scott Palmer, Engineering Department; Cindy May, Insurance Department and William McTygue, DPW. She said if there were other appropriate individuals to please contact her. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS 85 Beekman Street Page 14 of 19 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, June 5, 2001 Commissioner Thomas McTygue moved and Commissioner Bernard Mirling seconded to approve the request for an additional $3,000 from the contingency fund for 85 Beekman Street. Ayes all. Gas & Oil Line Items Commissioner Thomas McTygue informed Council members that his department provides gas and oil for the police and emergency corps vehicles at the City Garage. He said they are given $20,000 each year for this item. He said they have found that for the first four months of 2001 we have spent a total of more than $16,000 on public safety vehicles. He said this could amount to a $30,000 deficit in that line item. He said there needs to be an adjustment in this line item and asked that Council members think about this issue. Paving Truck Inspection Station Commissioner Thomas McTygue said paving at the truck inspection area on Marion Avenue has been completed. He said the cost for the paving was $10,442.90 and a method of payment to his department needed to be worked out. Commissioner Thomas Curley said he would work with Commissioner Thomas McTygue on that matter. Commissioner Michael Lenz asked about getting the trucks back on the road. Commissioner Thomas Curley said they could use Excelsior Avenue. He said they may also be able to turn around in the lot to get back on Route 50. Appointments (01-089) Commissioner Thomas McTygue announced the following appointments: Phil Galluci, Water Meter Reader, Grade 6, Step 1 effective June 3, 2001, and Mark Bectal, Water Meter Reader, Grade 6, Step 1, effective June 3, 2001. Waive of Bid B Davis Valve Commissioner Thomas McTygue moved and Commissioner Bernard Mirling seconded to confirm the previous approval by memo for the waive of bid to Davis Valve Installations, Inc. for the new tie-ins for Beekman, Elm & West Circular Streets in the amount of $3,700. Commissioner Thomas McTygue said Davis Valve Installations, Inc. should al be added to the bid waive list. Ayes all. Waive of Bid B Bast Hatfield Commissioner Thomas McTygue moved and Commissioner Bernard Mirling seconded to confirm the previous approval by memo for the waive of bid to Bast Hatfield for steel for the carousel in the amount of $27,969 for steel. He said the money is in the carousel capital account. Ayes all. Page 15 of 19 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, June 5, 2001 Waive of Bid -- Alliance Reporting Service Commissioner Thomas McTygue moved and Commissioner Thomas Curley seconded to confirm the previous approval by memo to Alliance Reporting Service for the public hearing scoping sessions for Saratoga Lake Protection in the amount of $1,092. He said the money was in the water budget. Ayes all. Waive of Bid -- N.S. Associates Commissioner Thomas McTygue moved and Commissioner Bernard Mirling seconded to confirm the previous approval by memo to N.S. Associates in the amount of $2,476 for the iron fencing for the Old Reservoir in Congress Park. Ayes all. Waive of Bid -- AFSCO Fence Supply Commissioner Thomas McTygue moved and Commissioner Bernard Mirling seconded to confirm the previous approval by memo to AFSCO Fence for the netting fence in the amount of $7,140. He said this project would be paid by the school capital account. He also asked for approval for three baseball backstops in the amount of $5,325. He said the funds for those backstops are in the recreation budget. Ayes all. DPW Contract -- Approval (01-090) Commissioner Thomas McTygue moved and Commissioner Bernard Mirling seconded to authorize the Mayor to sign the memorandum of agreement for the DPW Contract 2000-2004. He said this proposed contract had recently been ratified by the union. John Poklema, attorney representing the City, said this is a good four year agreement which is within the budgeted amount. He recommended the Council approve this memorandum of agreement. Ayes all. John Poklemba then requested an executive session to discuss other contracts. Council members agreed. CHIPS State Aid Page 16 of 19 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, June 5, 2001 Commissioner Thomas McTygue informed Council members that even though there was no state budget, the City would continue to pave. He said due to the short paving season in this City, they could not afford to lose the time. He said he anticipated receiving about $336,000 in CHIPS funding. Amendments to the Sewer Use Ordinance -- Set Public Hearing Commissioner Thomas McTygue requested that a public hearing be set for Tuesday, June 19, at 6:55 p.m. on amendments to the sewer use ordinance. Council members agreed. Waive of Bid -- Compost Screen Commissioner Thomas McTygue moved and Commissioner Bernard Mirling seconded to approve the waive of bid to Lyons Equipment for a compost screen in the mount of $4,500/month. Ayes all. Carousel Commissioner Thomas McTygue informed Council members that recently The Post Star newspaper did a WEB site survey on whether individuals wanted the carousel in the park. He said it was interesting to note that there were 345 hits, 262 said yes and 80 said no. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY Waive of Bid -- Frontrunner Network Systems Maintenance Contract Commissioner Thomas Curley moved and Commissioner Thomas McTygue seconded to approve the waive of bid to Frontrunner Network Systems in the amount of $2,691 for a maintenance agreement from March 26, 2001 to March 25, 2002. Ayes all. DWI Grant -- Authorization for Mayor to sign (01-091) Commissioner Thomas Curley moved and Commissioner Bernard Mirling seconded to authorize the Mayor to sign the DWI Grant yearly grant in the amount of $36,000. He said these funds would be used for DWI enforcement. Waive of Bid -- Galls, Inc., -- Police Vehicle Equipment Commissioner Thomas Curley moved and Commissioner Bernard Mirling seconded to approve the waive of bid to Galls, Inc. for police vehicle equipment in the amount of $1,494.88. Ayes all. Community Policing -- Update Page 17 of 19 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, June 5, 2001 Officer Tim Sicko informed Council members that he is assigned to the Community Service Unit of the Police Department. He said he had been specifically assigned to the Housing Authority for the last two years. He said the one of their goals is to improve the quality of life at the Jefferson/Vanderbilt Terrace area. He said they offer programs such as youth oriented programs, cub scouts, domestic violence services, cooking classes and CAPTAIN programs. He said CAPTAIN is heavily involved in this community by offering their resources to the runaways and throw-away youths. He said CAPTAIN will eventually branch out to the rest of the community. Officer Tim Sicko said it was a pleasure to work in this community. He said other events scheduled over the summer included basketball, softball and soccer. He said they will also hold a large picnic with many sponsors supporting this event. He said if Council members are interested they should stop by anytime to take a look around. Commissioner Thomas Curley said this is a good proactive program which has been built on its successes over the years. He commended Officer Tim Sicko for his work and also for developing a positive relationship with the Housing Authority. Waive of Bid B End to End Commissioner Thomas Curley moved and Commissioner Bernard Mirling seconded to waive the bid to End to End, Inc. for fire department software and training for records and management systems in the amount of $8,510.20. Ayes all. Executive Session Commissioner Bernard Mirling moved and Commissioner Bernard Mirling second to adjourn to executive session at 8:55 p.m. to discuss contract negotiations. Ayes all. Council members returned at 9:00 p.m. and reported that no action was taken. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Thomas Curley moved and Commissioner Bernard Mirling seconded to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 p.m. Ayes all. There being no further business, Commissioner Michael Lenz adjourned the meeting at 9:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Page 18 of 19 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, June 5, 2001 Kathy Moran Clerk Approved: Page 19 of 19