City Council

CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS CITY COUNCIL MEETING CITY COUNCIL ROOM TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2002 7:00 P.M PRESENT: Commissioner Thomas Curley, DPS Kenneth Klotz, Mayor Commissioner Michael Lenz, Finance Commissioner Stephen E. Towne, Accounts ABSENT: Commissioner Thomas McTygue, DPW ALSO PRESENT: Anthony Scirocco, Supervisor Phil Klein, Supervisor STAFF PRESENT: Bruce Brown, Deputy Commissioner, DPW Christine Gillmett-Brown, Deputy Commissioner Finance Debbie Harper, Deputy Commissioner Accounts Bob King, Deputy Commissioner, DPS Hank Kuczynski, Deputy Mayor Jeff Wait, City Attorney MAYOR=S OFFICE Zoning Ordinance Review Committee Presentation Mike Welti, Chair of the Zoning Ordinance Review Committee, said a committee was formed about a year ago to review the zoning ordinance for the City. He said also present this evening were committee members Lori Heithoff and Lisa Nagel. He said this document had been created with much help from Geoff Bornemann, City Planner and the Environmental Design Consultants. He said their purpose was to draft amendments to the zoning ordinance in order to implement the City=s Comprehensive Plan. He said some of the areas reviewed included conservation subdivisions, special development areas, gateways and the related map amendments. Mike Welti said one of the goals of the conservation subdivision was to maintain the character of the area through a well-balanced design of open space and buildings. He then displayed through the power point presentation the conventional subdivision design and the cluster design. He said the cluster design maintains the features of the area through better design development. He said this conservation subdivision design would fall only the RR-1 and SR-1 districts. He said the density would be unchanged and there would be no minimum lot size. He said this proposal allows for flexibility. He also noted that through cluster development both the constrained and unconstrained lands must set aside 50 percent of land as open space. He said this particular plan allows for a number of ways to develop a parcel. He said this would involve mostly single family homes, however, there is a provision for two unit parcels. He also noted that there would be a density bonus for public access to open lands. He said they also looked at the affordable housing issue, but determined that it did not fit in this area. However, they have worked with the affordable housing task force and that task force is looking at ways to address this issue on a citywide basis. Mike Welti said this was a two step process. He said the first step would require the project to appear before the Planning Board identifying wetlands, density calculations based on buildable land, review of unique features and a preliminary plat which shows the general location of areas to be developed and preserved. He said the next step would be a final detailed subdivision design plan, design guidelines, conservation easement and compliance with the SEQR process. Page 1 of 8 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, October 1, 2002 Mike Welti said they then looked at the commercial gateways. He said there were three specific areas which included Route 9 near exit 13 (closer to Kaydeross Avenue), Route 50 between SPAC and Hutchins Road and Marion Avenue between Route 50 and the Town of Greenfield line. He said in all cases, they wanted to improve the appearance of the structures. He said the areas to the south of the City would retain their rural country character. He said they focused on land form, building location, circulation patterns, parking, signage and vegetation. He then showed examples of good roadways and pedestrian trails. He said the circulation patterns would be quite different from an urban circulation pattern. He said parking would also be minimized in the front of the buildings. Mike Welti said the Marion Avenue area was different though. He said they wanted to achieve urban character in that area, therefore, they focused on the location of the buildings, parking, shared driveways/access; building height, traffic, etc. He said they wanted to preserve the quality of life in these areas and to also improve the pedestrian access. He then displayed drawings of building lines, lot width, minimum frontage, sidewalks, trees, lights, etc. Mike Welti said the special development areas have been replaced with three new districts T-4 Urban Neighborhood; T-5 General Urban and T-6 Urban Core (downtown). He said this modified use of this schedule still allows the Planning Board some flexibility. He said these new districts use the transect approach which goes from the most urban to the most rural with the varying grades in between. He said he believed that using this transect approach allowed them to achieve the best urban design to fit into these special development areas. He then explained the T-4 would be less urban with small, two story detached retail/office style structures; the T-5 would have buildings of between two and four stories, with more formal alignment of buildings, sidewalks, larger scale buildings, etc.; and the T-6 Urban Core downtown would have buildings between two and seven stories with retail or restaurant use on the first floor and residential or office above. He said items such as benches, trash cans and informational kiosks would be included. Mike Welti said over the next few weeks, the committee would meet with the Council members to discuss their views on this proposal. He said a final draft document would be available next week. He said he hoped to make a formal presentation to Council members at the October 15 meeting, the Council would accept the document for review, forward it to the City and County Planning Boards and begin the SEQR process. He said public hearings would need to be held as well as other formal steps. Commissioner Stephen Towne thanked Mike Welti for this presentation. He said it was quite informative. Excelsior Park Consultant Contract (02-225) Geoff Bornemann reminded Council members that a consultant had been hired at the applicant=s expense to review the documents in connection with this project. He said the contract had an upset limit of $25,000, however, it has now been determined that an additional $25,000 was needed. He said the applicant was willing to pay for this cost. Mayor Kenneth Klotz moved and Commissioner Thomas Curley seconded that the Mayor be authorized to sign a contract amendment with the New York Planning Federation for an additional $25,000 on the condition that the project sponsor deposit an additional $25,000 in the escrow account for this project. Ayes all. Character Counts Program Mayor Kenneth Klotz said he had been approached by a local attorney who has an interest in the Character Counts national program which is based in California. He said this program is based on improving the education and character of children. He said this individual asked if the Council might be willing to support this program. Mayor Kenneth Klotz said he believed this type of program was more closely related to the Page 2 of 8 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, October 1, 2002 school system. He said, though, the City could work with the school system. He pointed out that there is some involvement required and Council members needed to decide what the level of commitment they were interested in. He then distributed information on this matter. He said that he would bring this matter up again at the next meeting to see if there is an interest. Submarine Veteran=s Convention Mayor Kenneth Klotz informed Council members that the Submarine Veteran=s Convention will be held in the City in 2004. He said this particular convention draws upwards of 4,000 participants which would make it one of the largest that the City has hosted. Agency Applications for City Funding Deputy Mayor Hank Kuczynski said he had developed an idea for not-for-profit agencies to request funds from the City during the budget process. Hank Kuczynski said he had met with Deputy Commissioners Christine Gillmett-Brown and Deborah Harper on the development of an application process. Deputy Mayor Hank Kuczynski said they considered funding through the CDBG program or United Way, but ultimately determined that the least cumbersome method was an abbreviated version of the CDBG process. He said he is in the process of developing a format for an application and will circulate it to Commissioners. He said this application would be used as an information gathering tool on the agency=s financial status, scope of services, number of community members affected, assets and liabilities, etc. Mayor Kenneth Klotz said there are a number of small organizations already funded under the Mayor=s budget. He said there had been no formal way to ask for funding other than requesting funding through the Mayor=s office through informal discussions. He said they currently fund groups such as the EOC soup kitchen, senior citizens center and veteran=s organizations. He said he believed that the City should be fumding more though. Commissioner Stephen Towne asked if it was Deputy Mayor Hank Kuczynski=s vision that a committee be formed to review these applications. Deputy Mayor Hank Kuczynski said not this year, however, it could be done in the future. Commissioner Stephen Towne asked if it was his intention to include these requests in this budget process. Deputy Mayor Hank Kuczynski said yes. ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENT Approval of City Council Minutes Commissioner Stephen Towne noted that this item was withdrawn from discussion. Commissioners of Deeds Commissioner Stephen Towne announced the appointment of the following individuals as Commissioners of Deeds: Gloria Battaglini, Accounts Dept.; Michael Chowske, Daniel Mullan, John Barney, Christopher Kuznia, Linda Quatrinni, Anthony Scirocco, John Catone and Edward Lewis of the Police Department and Barbara Harrison. Award of Bid B City Center Commissioner Stephen Towne noted that all of the following award of bids and proposals have been reviewed by the Accounts Department and are being made in compliance with the Purchasing Guidelines. Page 3 of 8 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, October 1, 2002 Upon the recommendation of the City Center Authority Commissioner Stephen Towne moved and Mayor Kenneth Klotz seconded to award the bid for rubber roof membrane, metal flashing and caulking to Weather Guard Industries for a lump sum bid of $19,730 (lowest acceptable bidder). Ayes all. Upon the recommendation of the City Center Authority, Commissioner Stephen Towne moved and Mayor Kenneth Klotz seconded to accept the proposal for a roof drain renovation study into Jarrett- Martin Engineers in an amount not to exceed $20,500 which includes the engineer=s fee of $7,560 (lowest acceptable proposal). Ayes all. Upon the recommendation of the City Center Authority, Commissioner Stephen Towne moved and Mayor Kenneth Klotz seconded to accept the proposal for electrical systems study from Phillips Associates for a lump sum bid of $4,200 (lowest acceptable proposal). Ayes all. Upon the recommendation of the City Center Authority, Commissioner Stephen Towne moved and Mayor Kenneth Klotz seconded to approve the quote for interior painting of doors and door frames to Old Saratoga Restoration, Inc., for a total price of $4,400 (lowest acceptable quote). Ayes all. Upon the recommendation of the City Center Authority, Commissioner Stephen Towne moved and Mayor Kenneth Klotz seconded to accept the quote for HVAC replacement from Technical Building Services in an amount not to exceed $21,200. Ayes all. Empire Zone Boundary Amendment B Round Two (02-226) Commissioner Stephen Towne reminded Council members that recently two memorandums had been circulated late last week to include additional parcels in the Empire Zone Boundary Amendment Round Two. He said those parcels were the Rip Van Dam Hotel, 63 Putnam Street and two locations on South Broadway under one proposal for the potential Hampton Inn & Suites put forth by Michael Hoffman. He said information on these four Empire Zone candidates was circulated last week to Council members and no additional questions came to him on any of the information submitted. Commissioner Michael Lenz said he had recently spoken to Jeff Wait on whether the Council was binding itself in any way since these projects will need to appear before the Planning Board. He said it was his understanding from Jeff Wait that was not so. Commissioner Stephen Towne then moved and Commissioner Thomas Curley seconded to move to confirm the recent approval by memos to include the parcels as listed in the memos for Empire Zone Boundary Amendment B Round Two. Ayes all. Tent Ordinance B Set Public Hearing Commissioner Stephen Towne requested a public hearing be set on October 15 at 6:50 p.m. on the tent ordinance. FINANCE Approval of Payrolls Commissioner Michael Lenz moved and Commissioner Stephen Towne seconded to approve the Page 4 of 8 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, October 1, 2002 payment of the following payrolls: September 20, 2002 -- $322,196.88 and September 27, 2002 - - $318,539.79. Approval of Warrants Commissioner Michael Lenz moved and Commissioner Stephen Towne seconded to approve the following warrants: 1OCT02 - Warrant 2-30 General Fund $274,555.97 City Center Authority 5,255.20 Water Fund 12,389.63 Sewer Fund 2,038.91 Capital Project 80,131.63 Special Assessment District -0- West Avenue SAD -0- Trust Fund -0- Debt Service 6,475.13 Community Development 8,156.25 $388,984.72 MC020920 - Warrant 2 General Fund $ 200.00 City Center Authority -0- Water Fund -0- Sewer Fund -0- Capital Project -0- Special Assessment District -0- West Avenue SAD -0- Trust Fund -0- Debt Service -0- Community Development -0- $ 200.00 MC020925 - Warrant 2-7 General Fund $1,196,094.30 City Center Authority 26,293.89 Water Fund 27,676.61 Sewer Fund 593,284.36 Capital Project 366,343.00 Special Assessment District -0- West Avenue SAD -0- Trust Fund -0- Debt Service 2,017.42 Community Development -0- $2,211,709.58 Ayes all. Approval -- Budget Transfers Commissioner Michael Lenz moved and Commissioner Stephen Towne seconded to approve the budget transfers as presented (Attachment A). Ayes all. Page 5 of 8 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, October 1, 2002 Approval -- Budget Amendments Commissioner Michael Lenz moved and Commissioner Stephen Towne seconded to approve the budget amendments as presented (Attachment B). Ayes all. Special Accounts Report Deputy Commissioner Christine Gillmett-Brown reported on the City=s Special accounts as follows: Account Balance as of 8/30/02 Ice Rink Capital Improvement Accounts $ 52,742.22 Subdivision Recreation $ 115,157.79 Water Service Connection Fee $ 714,253.69 Veteran Brick Account $ 58,484.37 Spit-n-Spat $ 16,988.84 Ice Rink Debt Service $ 10,704.07 Knoll Springs Park $ 296,220.47 Local Law Enforcement LLEBG000 $ 60,514.28 LLEBG 2001 $ 45,443.31 Capital Reserve $ 922,563.60 Bond Proceeds $ 162,254.86 City Center Capital Reserve $1,132,213.52 City Center Escrow $2,513,668.03 Carousel Maintenance $ 22,418.43 Parking Solutions Fund $ 151,463.39 ($50,000 to be added in the next few days) Mayor Kenneth Klotz asked if there had been any concerns expressed by the Knoll Springs Park residents. Deputy Commissioner Christine Gillmett-Brown said no. Mayor Kenneth Klotz asked about the special accounts that the Finance Department had handled for organizations such as Solomon Nothrup Day and Sister Cities. Deputy Commissioner Christine Gillmett-Brown said that there were some small amounts remaining in those funds. Commissioner Michael Lenz said that the special accounts have continued to grow over the years. He said that it was more work for his department but it was good to have foresight in setting up accounts such as the parking fund account. He pointed out that parking was a problem that was not going to go away and planning and funding is needed. 2003 Budget Commissioner Michael Lenz reported that all departments had complied with returning their 2003 budget requests to his office by the October 1 deadline. He said his office would now begin to enter the data and would return a detailed version to Council members on October 21. He reminded everyone that would be the starting point. He said revenues and expenditures would be adjusted after that time. He also reminded Council members that a budget must be adopted by November 30. He also reminded Council members that he had requested an explanation for large increases and/or decreases in expenses/revenues. He said some departments had not complied with that request, therefore, Deputy Commissioner Christine Gillmett-Brown would be calling those offices. Commissioner Michael Lenz said at the October 15 Council meeting he would schedule workshops and public hearings. He said at that time he would also have an update on the sales tax figures. Page 6 of 8 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, October 1, 2002 DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS Donation Mayor Kenneth Klotz moved and Commissioner Thomas Curley seconded to accept the donation from Hot Stuff of Saratoga in the amount of $317 for the operation fund for the carousel. Ayes all. Rebate B NYS Emergency Research and Development Authority Mayor Kenneth Klotz announced that a rebate in the amount of $2,198 had been received from NYS Energy Research and Development Authority for the replacement of the low lift pump at the water treatment plant. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY 55 Alive Driving Class Commissioner Thomas Curley reported that the 55 Alive Driving Class will be offered to residents who are 50 years of age or older at a cost of $10. He said the class will be offered by Officer John Shaw at 247 Grand Avenue on October 23 and 24. Child Safety Passenger Seat Commissioner Thomas Curley reported that over the last year the Child Safety Passenger Seat Program had been in operation at several locations. He said child safety passenger seat cheeks were made at the Allstar car dealership and the Navy complex. He said that a total of 311 seats had been checked and 99 replaced. He said this was a premier program under the management of Officer John Shaw=s. He noted that there would be another seat check tomorrow at Lester. Property Committee Commissioner Thomas Curley announced the formation of a property committee to begin looking at emergency services in the City and more specifically to look at sites on the East Side. He said the demand for these services continue to grow. He announced that committee members would include Lou Schneider, Lori Evans, John Carroll, Patrick Rocca and Don Snyder. He said they would begin by focusing on a mission statement and then will develop a list of potential sites. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Michael Lenz moved and Commissioner Thomas Curley seconded to adjourn the meeting at 8:05 p.m. Ayes all. There being no further business, Mayor Kenneth Klotz adjourned the meeting at 8:05 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Kathy Moran Clerk Page 7 of 8 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, October 1, 2002 Approved: Page 8 of 8