City Council

City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, July 3, 2001 CITY COUNCIL MEETING CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS, NEW YORK TUESDAY, JULY 3, 2001 CITY COUNCIL ROOM 6:55 P.M. PRESENT: Kenneth Klotz, Mayor Thomas Curley, Commissioner, Public Safety Michael Lenz, Commissioner, Finance Thomas McTygue, Commissioner, Public Works Bernard Mirling, Commissioner, Accounts ALSO PRESENT: Phillip Klein, 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 PUBLIC HEARING: The Mayor opened the Public Hearing on Local Law #4 for 2001, “Revisions to Sewer Use Ordinance” He called upon the City Attorney, Jeff Wait to explain the changes to the ordinance. Jeff Wait said that the EPA has asked the City to change the ordinance to use raise the standards within the law for industrial users. This revised ordinance is adopting higher standards for industrial users as required by the EPA. For example, the ordinance specifies different levels allowed for different chemicals. The enforcement mechanism is enhanced because more things are specified. The County is the enforcement agency for violations within the City. The Mayor asked if anyone present wished to speak, and being that no one responded to speak, the Mayor closed the Public Hearing at 7:00 pm. He requested that the vote on this ordinance be added to his agenda tonight. CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Klotz called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. MAYOR’S OFFICE: Recreation Commission Report: This report is being given in response to a recommendation from the State comptroller’s office that there be closer contact and enhanced communication Page 1 of 15 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, July 3, 2001 between the Recreation Commission and the City Council. John Irving, chairman of the Recreation Commission spoke on the recent activities of the Recreation Commission. He said at their June 28 meeting the commission adopted a Personnel Manual and policies and procedures of personnel and policies for the conducting of daily business. The City council was given a copy of these a couple of months ago. Mr. Irving said that there is a meeting scheduled next week with the retired executives whom Commissioner Mirling had arranged to come in as consultants. They plan to discuss their findings so far, and how the consultants can help. Mr. Irving reported that Camp Saradac has started and this is a very busy time of year for the Recreation Department. He said that along with the Department of Public Works at their last meeting the Recreation Commission passed a resolution authorizing the Mayor to sign a contract with the gentleman out on Gilbert Road so we can rent the fields for the next three years for $3,000 per year. Commissioner McTygue corrected Mr. Irving saying that the agreement was that the City would do drainage work and field improvements on the twenty-acre parcel on Gilbert Road for the total expense of $9,000 which is broken down into three payments of $3,000 per year. He said that in consideration for these improvements, the City is allowed to use the field for its recreation programs. Mr. Irving announced that Camp Saradac has begun and so far everything seems to be running smoothly. He said there is now have a Parking Coordinator and ate paying the New York Racing Association one- dollar per year. This amount used to be $11,000 but since the City helped with the cost of placing sidewalks and curbing in this area, and to offset the cost of losing the parking spots affected by the sidewalks, the New York Racing Association agreed to a one-dollar fee instead. The Parking Coordinator will be making decisions on personnel for the Youth Parking team the week of July nine Phone System upgrade: The Mayor reported that the City’s Tele-Communications Specialist Jamie Johnson has asked that the City’s phone system be upgraded from four to eight ports to include and accommodate incoming calls. The Mayor explained that if you have more incoming calls than ports it seems that no one is answering the phone. It rings incessantly. The Mayor and Jamie have been discussing the problems with the phone system for a long time. Jamie thought we they could put a solution on hold for now, but the problem has been exacerbated recently. There have been an increasing number of complaints received recently. The Mayor reported that in May 15,000 calls were received in City Hall. Mayor Kenneth Klotz moved and Commissioner Bernard Mirling seconded to approve the purchase of an upgrade for the City’s telephone system which would double the amount of ports at the cost of $16,200. The Mayor asked that commissioner Lenz locate the money in contingency or elsewhere. Mayor Klotz said that the Telephone Company assured Jamie Johnson that this upgrade will solve our problem. Commissioner Michael Lenz commented that he is concerned about the age of the system. He asked why the call that is ringing cannot roll into the voice mail system in the order it was received. Mayor Klotz said that the Telephone Company said that this is not possible with this system. Commissioner Bernard Mirling asked what happens when we have extra ports. The Mayor said that now only three are useable for incoming calls, and if we Page 2 of 15 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, July 3, 2001 increase to eight ports, we will double our capacity to receive incoming calls. Commissioner Mirling said that he wished he understood the technology better. He asked if incoming calls when they have been handled and reach the extension, are still part of the port, and Mayor Klotz answered no, they are not. The Mayor said the question is how many incoming calls are Commissioner Lenz questioned why there has been a dramatic increase in the number of calls coming in. He is not sure he understands why this cannot wait until budget time. Commissioner Lenz stated that $16000 is a lot of money to spend on a system that is not that old. He also wants to understand the technology better, and he wonders if there is way to enhance the phone system without spending that much money. Mayor Klotz understands the questions since he has been wrestling with the situation for several months. We have limped through so far this year, so it is ok to postpone the decision for another two weeks. He said he is going to ask Jamie Johnson to contact Commissioner Lenz and Commissioner Mirling to give them more information. He said that opportunity is available to Commissioner Curley and Commissioner McTygue also. Commissioner Mirling stated that he is not opposed to the upgrade of the system, he wants to be sure that the City Council is doing this the best way possible, a way that is not going to come back to haunt us. Commissioner Curley said he is not sure this is a complete equipment change, it may just be an enhancement of what is already in place to increase capacity but he has no problem waiting on this. The Mayor withdrew the motion saying that the City Council will have further conversations about this in the next few weeks. Mayor’s Cup: The Mayor reported on the Mayor’s Cup little league game that was held Monday June 25. It was a great game and the winner was Cruise Holiday, a west-side team coached by Jim Gould. The score was 1 -.0, The winning pitcher, Jake Seroussi, threw a one-hitter. Brian Frisch, catcher for New Country got the only hit for his team. It was a great game and a great bunch of kids. Revised Comprehensive Plan: Mayor Klotz said that the first intention was to bring the Comprehensive Plan before the council tonight for a vote. Mayor Klotz said he had a request from a majority of the Commissioners to postpone a vote on the Comprehensive Plan because there were more questions from the members of the City Council. The specific suggestion is that the City Council meet with members of the Comprehensive Plan Committee in a workshop format in order to take time to ask questions, discuss issues, especially the controversial issues. The workshop is scheduled for Tuesday July 10 at 6:30PM at the Casino. Mayor Klotz said that the workshop will be conducted so that everyone especially council members can be made to be more comfortable with the document and the position they want to take on the document because it is important to get it right, it is an important decision. Commissioner Lenz asked that since a the public hearing with the City Council members and the committee members was held in council chambers several weeks ago, would we be serving any further purpose if we had a portion of the workshop to ask the public for input? Obviously it is a public meeting, but he wondered if there would be a chance to open it up to the public for questions and answers. Page 3 of 15 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, July 3, 2001 Mayor Klotz responded that this workshop would be providing an opportunity for the public to have questions and answers. Mayor Klotz said that through this process, with the formal public hearing, a number of viewpoints were presented. The question is not so much that we want to know at this point what the public thinks about this, The concern is that we want to make sure the City Council is well versed and understands the plan completely. Commissioner Lenz commented that we are essentially saying we are going to have one more opportunity for the City Council to ask questions and that a half-hour for the public to ask questions within this forum would be a good idea. He also suggested that the deadline for public letters could be extended. The council is open for further comments and we do not want to cut off public comment, but Commissioner Lenz feels that we are close to a vote and we may be ready after this next workshop. He suggested that the council might anticipate voting on the issue at the next City Council meeting. Commissioner Mirling said there may be some things we might want to happen next, The purpose of the workshop should be for the council to ask questions and express concern to each other, then maybe we can hold a public forum. It would seem to be more appropriate to hold the public comment period until we as members of the City Council have a chance to see what we want to do. Commissioner Lenz wants to give the public an opportunity to ask questions because they may think of something that we didn’t, especially since this is a chance to have the council members and the Comprehensive Plan Committee members together. Commissioner Curley said we should present this as a question or answer period rather than a session to express opinions. It is essentially a fact-finding mission. We should convey this to the public as the approach that we will take. Commissioner Mirling concurred that this is good idea. We do not want to spend a whole lot of time reviewing opinions that have already been expressed. This should instead be a question and answer process. The Council did not need to hear more reactions and opinions; those were heard at the Public Hearing. Mayor Klotz said he wants this forum to be an opportunity for the council to make technical changes and changes in wording. If the City council decides to make major changes, it is possible to revisit the process with another Public Hearing if necessary. He agrees that it should be conveyed to the public that the primary point of the workshop is to provide a chance for the City Council members to meet with the Comprehensive Plan Committee and ask questions and that there will be an opportunity for public questions and comments at the end. Every one agreed. Set Public Hearing - Street Naming: Mayor Klotz said he had a request from the Navy to name a private drive off of Washington Street on navy property after a member of the Navy who was lost at sea. He asked if anyone from the Navy could speak on this. Lt. Commander Kelly Henry said that the street would be named in honor of Lieutenant Commander King who was lost at sea March 1997 when his helicopter went down. His body was recovered seven weeks later. He was a veteran of the Gulf War serving in operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. He lived in this area, in Ballston Spa, as a child when his father was working at the Nuclear Power Plant. A wife and five daughters Page 4 of 15 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, July 3, 2001 and his parents survive him. He was a 1983 graduate of the Naval Academy. Mayor Klotz said the procedure was to set a public hearing and vote on it subsequently. The Public Hearing was set for July 17 at 6:55. Mayor Klotz said that Geoff Bornemann requested that the spelling change of Trestle Avenue, which was misspelled in the formal street acceptance, be added to this Public Hearing agenda as well. Zoning Amendment Request - Skevington Property: Mayor Kenneth Klotz is in response to a request for the rezoning of the property on 700 Crescent Avenue from “Water Related Business District” to Rural Residential 1. The request is from the property owner Craig Skevington who is not here to make the usual presentation, but this is a routine request for the City Council to accept a petition for study that is subsequently brought before the Planning Board for an advisory opinion. Geoff Bornemann, City Planner, reported that Mr. Skevington was unable to attend tonight’s meeting, and explained that Mr. Skevington purchased Moon’s Lake House and to protect the value in his property he would like to have the zoning changed from that of Water related business district to rural residential one. Mayor Klotz said that there has been pre-existing use for a number of years regarding businesses like Moon’s Lake House. Geoff Bornemann explained that a special zone was established by the City Council a number of years ago for the businesses out by the lake as the Water Related Business district. Mr. Skevington desires to change the zoning of 700 Crescent Avenue to that of residential. Mayor Kenneth Klotz moved and Commissioner Bernard Mirling seconded that the City Council accepts the petition for study. Ayes all. Mayor Klotz scheduled a public hearing on this for Tuesday August 7 at 6:50 PM. West Avenue Change Order #3: (01-103) City Engineer Paul Male has circulated information about a change order on the West Avenue project. Paul Male reported that the change order consists of three items: (1) excavation, sampling, laboratory analysis and disposal of petroleum contaminated soil; (2) Drill and grout reinforcing bars in drainage cover structure covers and (3) Furnish and install water stop assemblies. The costs for each item are split three ways with the Federal Government paying 80%, the State will pay 15% and the City is responsible for 5%. With the exception of item number three, the water stop. The City Council discussed this at a prior meeting and opted to shut down the water all day and put the water stop in place. This was entirely 100% of the City’s share. In this change order, these are estimated costs based on what we have seen to date. The contaminated soil appears to be coming from Bill Mohr’s gas station. Mr. Mohr has verbally agreed to pay for the City share of item number 1 if that cost is around $2200 which it seems to be. Mayor Klotz thanked Mr. Male for the reminder on item number three, which was a difficult decision for the City Council to make on short notice because of the detrimental impact and disruption on the businesses, especially the medical offices in this district. The City worked with Engineering and the Department of Public Works and Stan Borden was instrumental in working out an agreement where the City said there would no Page 5 of 15 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, July 3, 2001 disruption and we need to pay this and be sure an extra valve is put into place. Mayor Klotz moved and Commissioner Bernard Mirling seconded to approve this change order. Commissioner Michael Lenz asked Paul Male if he had a sense of how many more change orders we might expect to be getting and how complete is the West Avenue project. Paul Male responded that the project is about 60-65% complete. They were paving today from St. Charles Place back to Grand Avenue and more sidewalk work in the same vicinity and they will be doing paving on the east side of West Avenue from Washington Street to Church Street next week. The only significant change order that is out there at this point is the rock quantity. The State’s position at this point is that this was part of the contract and the contractor knew it and the State’s does not want to pay it. Mayor Klotz commented that there was more rock than the contractor realized and their expenses are higher as a result. Paul Male says this will probably be resolved after the project. I State DOT project that we are piggy backing on to and we have agreed to pick up some of the expenses. We are not part of the decision making process but if we do not approve the change orders we may get hit with a delay of claim. Comm Lenz wanted a sense of where we were on the project. Paul Male feels we are on the downhill side of this project. With the exception of lighting, cleanup and topsoil seeding, the paving will be complete and the project essentially finished by early November. The State will not let them pave in real cold weather. Commissioner Curley said that he has received requests for warning signs for the area near the chiropractor’s office. He has received complaints about the one- foot drop. Paul Male said that eventually these businesses are going to be paved in front and they need to be aware that in order to do this the area needs to be scraped down to about a one-foot drop. The improvements are to the benefit of the businesses in this area, but they need to be aware of the preparations in the mean time. Mayor Klotz called for a vote on the change orders: Ayes all. Demolition Contract on 154 Lake Avenue: (01-104) The next item is a contract with Pike construction to clean up the Cefalu property. City Attorney Jeff Wait said that several construction companies were asked by the City Engineer to bid on this and Pike Construction was the low bidder. This is a contract in the amount of $7800 with Pike construction to clean up the site of the Cefalu project. They are going to level the topsoil and seed the property. We need approval from the City Council to reimburse Pike and then the City Attorney will send an invoice to Cefalu. If the invoice is not paid, the City has security in an escrow account for site improvement work that was supposed to be done when he built the new building. There is more than enough money in this account to cover this contract with Pike Construction. We need in the first instance approval from the City Council to pay this and then we can reimburse ourselves. Mayor clarified that this action is occurring only after repeated attempts to notify to Mr. Cefalu and with the recommendation of the City Planning Board to clean up this site be cleaned up for safety reasons. Mr. Wait concurred that he has been working with the Planning Board for several months and about six weeks ago in a discussion with Mr. Cefalu and his attorney regarding Page 6 of 15 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, July 3, 2001 this matter, it was made clear that the property had to be cleaned up by June 30, and if he did not follow through with this the City would proceed and he would bear the expense. Mayor Klotz moved and Commissioner Bernard Mirling seconded to approve the demolition contract between the City and Pike Construction. Ayes all. Appointments: Mayor Klotz announced the following appointments: (01-105) Recreation Commission: Joy King Design Review Board: Susan Bokan Jay Rogoff Downtown special Assessment District: Jim Grande Community Development Citizens Advisory Committee: Richard Ferguson, Chairman Christina Curley-Czwakiel Amy Durland Linda Harvey-Opitek David Keehn Hank Kuczynski Joy King Lillian Miles Jenny Mirling Pam Polacsek Janine Stuchin Approval of Local Law number 4, Sewer Use Ordinance: (01-106) Mayor Klotz explained that he added this to the agenda. Mayor Klotz moved and Commissioner Mirling seconded to approve Local Law #4, the revisions to the Sewer Use Ordinance as presented. There was no discussion on the motion. Ayes all. Set public hearing: amend chapter 228 regulating the speed and operation of vessels on Saratoga Lake: This is at the request of County District Attorney Jim Murphy to try to bring together a coordinated set of rules and regulations on the lake. Jeff Wait was asked to comment on this. The City has jurisdiction over a portion of the lake as do other municipalities. The City has its own ordinance governing its portion of the Saratoga Lake regulating the speed of vessels. The District Attorney has been working with other communities and has requested that a small change be incorporated into our ordinance. There is now an exception to the five- mile per hour speed limit for law enforcement officers when operating a vessel necessary to carry out his or her official duty. The change requested by District Attorney Murphy is that the only exception to the speed limit would be for law enforcement officials when operating their vessel while responding to an emergency situation. Other municipalities are adopting the same change into their ordinances. Commissioner Curley said this change was a direct result of the incident that took place on Saratoga Lake with the sculling boat last fall. Mayor Klotz said he was sure it was and it illustrates that law enforcement officials do not just have carte blanche to exceed the speed Page 7 of 15 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, July 3, 2001 limit unless it is a very specific emergency situation. Commissioner Curley said he attended most of the meetings they had concerning this issue. He explained that there is only about 1200 feet within the City’s jurisdiction but because we were in agreement with the posting of the mileage out there, District Attorney Murphy wanted us to address this change so it would be uniform with all the other municipalities all around the lake. The Mayor commented that the District Attorney has done a good job responding to the situation and it is a good opportunity to work with other municipalities. The Mayor announced that there will be “Shakespeare in the Park” again this summer featuring Midsummer Nights Dream. The exciting season that opens July 25, for nine free performances. ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENT: Approval of June 5 meeting minutes Commissioner Bernard Mirling moved and Mayor Kenneth Klotz seconded to approve the June 19 meeting minutes. Ayes all. Commissioner of Deeds: Kenneth Bollerud Commissioner Bernard Mirling announced the appointment of Kenneth Bollerud as Commissioner of Deeds with a term of two years. Confirmation of Approval by Memo: Notes-taker for City Council Meetings: Commissioner Bernard Mirling moved and Mayor Kenneth Klotz seconded to confirm the previous approval by memo of the appointment of Nancy Wagner as Notes-taker for City Council Meetings at $100 per meeting. Ayes all Bid Extension for Walk-off Mats: Upon the recommendation of the Department of Public Works, Commissioner Bernard Mirling moved and Commissioner McTygue seconded for approval to extend the bid for walk-off mats with Coyne Textile Services for one year under the same terms and conditions. Ayes all. Set Public Hearing: On Local Law Enabling Bond Act Referendum: Commissioner Mirling set the public hearing for the local law enabling bond act referendum on July 17 at 6:40PM FINANCE DEPARTMENT: Payroll: Commissioner Michael Lenz moved and Commissioner Thomas Curley seconded to approve the following payrolls: June 22, 2001-$306,648.73 and June 29, 2001-$303,259.11. Page 8 of 15 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, July 3, 2001 Warrants: Commissioner Michael Lenz moved and Commissioner Bernard Mirling seconded for the approval and payment of the following warrants: 1July 01 – Warrant 2-30: General Fund $ 350,257.63 City Center Authority 16,832.07 Water Fund 116,252.35 Sewer Fund 8,767.10 Capital Projects Fun 63,342.14 Special Assessment District -0- Trust Fund -0- Debt Service -0- Community Development $ 9,309.78 TOTAL WARRANT $ 564,761.07 MC062001 Warrant 2-3 as follows: General Fund $ 13,971.15 City Center Authority -0- Water Fund -0- Sewer Fund -0- Capital Project -0- Special Assessment District -0- Trust Fund -0- Debt Service -0- Community Development $ -0- TOTAL WARRANT $ 13,971.15 . MC010627 Warrant 2-5 as follows: General Fund $1,088,887.65 City Center Authority -0- Water Fund 539.86 Sewer Fund 434,496.22 Capital Project 800.00 Special Assessment District -0- Trust Fund -0- Debt Service -0- Community Development -0- TOTAL WARRANT $1,524,723.73 MC062601 Warrant 2 as follows: General Fund $ 94.29 City Center Authority -0- Page 9 of 15 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, July 3, 2001 Water Fund -0- Sewer Fund -0- Capital Project -0- Special Assessment District -0- Trust Fund -0- Debt Service -0- Community Development -0- TOTAL WARRANT $ 94.29 MC010672 – Warrant 2-3 as follows: General Fund $ 228,378.46 City Center Authority 9,025.63 Water Fund 247.99 Sewer Fund -0- Capital Project -0- Special Assessment District -0- Trust Fund -0- Debt Service -0- Community Development -0- TOTAL WARRANT $ 237,652.08 Ayes all. Budget Amendments: Commissioner Lenz moved and Mayor Kenneth Klotz seconded to approve the budget amendments as distributed (Attachment A). Ayes all. Page 10 of 15 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, July 3, 2001 Budget Transfers: Commissioner Michael Lenz moved and Mayor Kenneth Klotz seconded to approve the budget transfers as distributed (Attachment B) Ayes all. Commissioner Lenz wants to reiterate a point made by a memo his Deputy circulated requesting transfers to be made to the line items where the appropriations had exceeded the budgeted amount. The memo was dated June 21, and he had requested the transfers be done by June 28. Commissioner Lenz wanted to point out that there were still four outstanding problems and he explained that this was a concern because the City Charter states that no expenditures shall be made beyond appropriations for such year. Therefore, Commissioner Lenz wants to stay on top of this situation so payments do not have to be withheld for insufficient appropriations, so he is urging the Commissioners to see submit the appropriate transfers by the July 17th City Council meeting so this situation can be alleviated. Adopt: Travel/Education and Vehicle Policy: Commissioner Michael Lenz explained that this policy was discussed at the last council meeting and set aside for further review. The Finance Department has received some feedback from some of the Departments and Deputy Finance Commissioner Christine Gillmett-Brown has incorporated those changes into the policy. Commissioner Michael Lenz moved and Commissioner Thomas McTygue seconded to approve both the Travel/Education and Vehicle Policy as distributed to the City Council. Commissioner McTygue asked about the policy as it refers to the City Center. Christine Gillmett-Brown responded that The City Center received a cover letter and revised draft but they have asked if a proposal for them that would deal specifically with them as an authority, but they do not have a meeting scheduled until July 12,. Commissioner McTygue said that means that they will not have to abide by the same methods that all the other City users have to abide by, Christine Gillmett-Brown responded that their policy will be similar, but the City Center wanted specific reference in the policy that pertains to them as a City authority versus the rest of the City Government. Mr. McTygue said he likes the idea of that and he suggested that the City Council waits and adopts all the policies as a package in its entirety rather than the City’s portion now and then later the City Center’s part. Commissioner Bernard Mirling asked about the first paragraph that states “Employees shall be allowed to enroll in job related courses (non-college) upon prior approval of the City Council”. Commissioner Mirling said that within the Department of Accounts this does not amount to a whole lot of courses or people, but it may affect more people in other departments and consequently, it may become onerous if we have seek City Council approval for every course that every one is taking. Commissioner Mirling suggested that it might be necessary to insert more clear guidelines that would allow at least some of these to be approved within Departments. Commissioner McTygue said there would not be too many in his Department. Commissioner Curley said that in the Department of Public Safety, many of the labor contracts allow for reimbursement for education courses so many of his Department members take courses. There are strict contractual guidelines, and the courses taken through the Department of Public Safety have to be approved by his office. Page 11 of 15 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, July 3, 2001 However, pertaining to the travel policy City Council approval will also be necessary. Commissioner Lenz explained that the Commissioners could seek approval as a grouping if that is the way it happens, so he did not feel that requesting City Council approval would become onerous. Commissioner Mirling said he had another question regarding meal limits, since often meals are included in the total price of the conference and they can exceed the limits set forth in this policy. Commissioner Mirling suggested that perhaps in conjunction with this policy, specific language may be needed pertaining to these kinds of all-inclusive conferences. Christine Gillmett-Brown commented that this is a good point because it happens and since the City Council is not going to vote on this issue until the next City Council meeting, language will be added to address this issue specifically. Commissioner Curley asked if anyone had presented this policy to the heads of each of the labor unions to see how they would receive this regarding their contracts since there may be clauses in the contracts that might preclude what we are trying to do here. He suggested that the policies be presented to each Union President to avoid any future misunderstandings. Commissioner Lenz said that he would distribute the policy to the officials of each City labor union. Commissioner Michael Lenz said the objective is to have a good sound policy and he appreciates all the comments and he will address and incorporate all of the suggestions and have the policy ready for City Council approval at the July 17 meeting. Report: Donations on Fireworks: Commissioner Lenz said that to offset the cost of fireworks in Congress Park on the fourth of July there are donations from the private sector every year. This is a very impressive show and he wants to publicly list the names of those who contributed to the 2001 Fourth of July Fireworks display: The Adirondack Trust Company The LA Group The Special Assessment District Wise Insurance Brokers, Inc. The Holiday Inn in Saratoga Springs Boyce & Drake Company, Inc. Roohan Realty City Natioinal Bank PJ.’s Barbecue Dean’s Flowers Saratoga National Bank and Trust Company Hattie’s Restaurant Group Inc. Sneeringer, Provost, & Redgrave Title Agency Inc Commissioner Lenz said that he received a call from Sue Allerdice of Allerdice Building Supply who indicated that they were going to be dropping off a check as well so he wants to acknowledge them also. Commissioner Lenz pointed out that when we do this year after year, there are groups that contribute year after year and it is a real nice private-public sector combination. Even though the City has a surplus and could pay for this with tax dollars, it is nice to see that the private sector reaches out and helps defray some of these costs. He reiterated his thanks to these agencies and businesses. Page 12 of 15 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, July 3, 2001 DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS Approval Change Orders: 1) Anjo construction 2) Catoh Company, Inc (01-107) Commissioner McTygue said that he spoke to City Engineer Paul Male regarding the approval of the change order for Anjo Construction, but he wishes to withdraw this item until the next City Council meeting because he needs more explanation. The City Council agreed to withdraw the item Commissioner McTygue moved and Commissioner Mirling seconded for City Council approval for payment of the change order to Catoh Company in the amount of $835.34. Ayes all. Waive Water Connection Fee – Habitat for Humanity: Commissioner Thomas McTygue moved and Mayor Kenneth Klotz seconded for the City council to approve to waive the five-hundred dollar ($500) water connection fee for the house on South Loughberry Road that was built by the Habitat for Humanity to be sold as an affordable home. This was requested by the Habitat for Humanity organization to help keep their costs down. Mayor Kenneth Klotz said that Habitat for Humanity is an excellent organization that does great things. Ayes all Approval for the Mayor to Sign Lease – Riggin and Diggin Line Construction Co. Commissioner Thomas McTygue moved and Mayor Kenneth Klotz seconded for the City Council to approve the Mayor to sign a lease for the Riggin and Diggin construction Company to park their vehicles in the old Excelsior Avenue Skating rink parking lot for two months, ending July 31, for three hundred fifty dollars ($350) per month for a total of seven hundred dollars ($700) to be received Ayes all. Ratification of Pre-Approved Expenditure-Bill Simeon Associates Playground Equipment Commissioner Thomas McTygue moved and Mayor Kenneth Klotz seconded to confirm the previous approval by memo of the expenditure in the amount of $4,680 to Bill Simeon Associates for replacement of playground equipment at the Geyser road Playground facility. There was equipment that was broken and had to be removed and replaced. Rather than to proceed through the bidding process which would probably not be finalized until fall, Commissioner McTygue said he wanted to expedite the replacement of the equipment. Commissioner McTygue said that the Recreation Commission must approve this also. Mayor Klotz said that the City Council had already approved this by memo. Ayes all. Announce Paving Schedule – Starts July 9 July 9: Milling West Harrison Street from Church Street to Division Street Page 13 of 15 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, July 3, 2001 Milling Franklin Street from Division Street to Washington Street July 10: Milling Ash Street from South Franklin Street to Walnut Street July 11: Pave Franklin Street from Division Street to Washington Street July 12: Pave West Harrision Street from Church Street to Division Street July 13: Pave Ash Street from South Franklin Street to Walnut Street July 16: Pave Kaydeross Avenue West from Route 9 to Stable Lane July 17: Pave PBA Site Parking Lot and the Recreation Field Driveway July 18: Pave Clinton Street from Skidmore Driveway to Lathrop Avenue July 18: Pave St. Lea Court from Grand Avenue to Culdesac. Waive of Bid: B & B Plumbing: Commissioner McTygue moved and Commissioner Curley seconded for City Council approval for a waive of bid in the amount of eleven hundred dollars ($1100) to replace a three inch cast iron sewer pipe leaking in the Water Treatment Plant. The money is in the water budget. Ayes all. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY Amendment to Nextel Phone Waive of Bid for Police: Upon recommendation of the Accounts Department, Commissioner Thomas Curley moved and Commissioner Bernard Mirling seconded to amend a previously approved waive of bid to Nextell Phones in the amount of $1699. The amendment would be to include under the Waive of Bid process an additional $1300 per month for the phone service because it exceeds the one thousand dollar limit. Commissioner McTygue mentioned that it should be called to the vendor’s attention that there are some dead spots, for example in the area of Independence Square and on Route 29 and a little ways out Washington Street and the phones go dead. The vendors should get their engineer’s find out what the situation is. Ayes all. Waive of Bid for Fire Department Nextel Phones: Commissioner Thomas Curley moved and Commissioner Bernard Mirling seconded for the approval for a waive of bid for the Saratoga Springs Fire Department’s Nextel Phones in the amount of $894 and since the phone service total exceeds one thousand dollars, the amendment will also include $650 per month for service as a part of this Waive of Bid. Ayes all Renew Fire Apparatus Unlimited Maintenance contract: Commissioner Thomas Curley moved and Mayor Klotz seconded for the City Council to approve the renewal of the Fire Apparatus Maintenance contract for preventative maintenance on the fire apparatus. The contract is with Fire Apparatus Unlimited and will be extended for an additional year at no additional expense. Ayes all. Page 14 of 15 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, July 3, 2001 Set Public Hearing: Local Law Enforcement Grant: At the request of Assistant Chief James Cornick, Commissioner Curley asked to set a public hearing regarding the proposed uses for the 2001 Local Law Enforcement Community Block grant. The Public Hearing was set for Tuesday July 17 at 6:35 PM. ADJOURNMENT Seeing no more City Council business, Mayor Klotz looked for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Bernard Mirling moved and Commissioner Thomas Curley seconded to adjourn. Ayes All. Meeting was adjourned at 8:15 PM Respectfully submitted, Nancy Wagner Clerk Approved: Page 15 of 15