City Council

CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS CITY COUNCIL MEETING CITY COUNCIL ROOM TUESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2005 7:00 P.M. PRESENT: Commissioner Thomas Curley, DPS Michael Lenz, Mayor Commissioner Matthew McCabe, Finance Commissioner Thomas McTygue, DPW Commissioner Stephen E. Towne, Accounts ALSO PRESENT: Anthony Scirocco, Supervisor Phil Klein, Supervisor STAFF PRESENT: Lynn Bachner, Deputy Commissioner, Finance Patrick Design, Deputy Commissioner, DPW Erin Dreyer, Deputy Commissioner DPS Alicia Wardell, Deputy Mayor Matthew Dorsey, City Attorney CALL TO ORDER Mayor Michael Lenz called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Executive Session Mayor Michael Lenz moved and Commissioner Matthew McCabe seconded to adjourn to an executive session at 6:30 p.m. for land acquisition discussion. Ayes all. Council members returned at 7:00 p.m. Mayor Michael Lenz reconvened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD Mayor Michael Lenz opened the public comment period. Wilma Koss, 160 Kaydeross Park Road, thanked the Council for refraining from adopting the findings statement. She said the lake was not the best solution. She understood that some Council members wanted to complete the study, but she applauded stopping the process and not allowing the permitting stage. It would be too costly. We should give the County plan a chance. She said that she trusted that DPW would maintain Loughberry Lake. David Bronner, 5 Royal Henley Court, agreed with Wilma Koss. He said the Council made the right decision going with the Hudson. He urged the Council to continue to work on obtaining water from the upper Hudson. Commissioner Thomas McTygue reminded everyone that the County’s last correspondence to the City stated that the City must purchase 4 mgpd. The City is not looking for a supplemental system but rather a long term solution. Mayor Michael Lenz said that the flags were at half mast due to the tsunami. There being no one else wishing to speak, Mayor Michael Lenz closed the first public comment period. MAYOR=S OFFICE Page 1 of 4 Administrator of Parks, Open Lands, Recreation and Historic Preservation Mayor Michael Lenz removed this item from the agenda. Affordable Housing Trust Fund Oversight Committee Mayor Michael Lenz removed this item from the agenda. Appointments Mayor Michael Lenz announced the appointment of the following individuals: L. Clifford VanWagner to the Planning Board and Fred Whipple to the Zoning Board of Appeals. Extension of Archaeological Review Committee Mayor Michael Lenz announced that the Archaeological Review Committee would be extended for an additional six months. Fair Practice Officer (05-01) Mayor Michael Lenz announced the appointment of Marcy Brydges as a Fair Practice Officer ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENT Approval of December 14, 2004, meeting minutes Commissioner Stephen Towne moved and Commissioner Thomas Curley seconded to approve the December 14 public hearing minutes. Ayes all. Assessment Calendar Change B Set Public Hearing Commissioner Stephen Towne requested that a public hearing be set for January 18, at 6:55 p.m. on a change to the City’s Assessment calendar. He said that recently Governor Pataki signed into a law a change that without a change at the local level would jeopardize the City’s annual state aid and the single school tax rate for Saratoga Springs School District. He said a draft local law was being drafted by the City’s Attorney’s Office and would be available before the next meeting. FINANCE OFFICE Payrolls Commissioner Matthew McCabe moved and Commissioner Thomas McTygue seconded to approve the payrolls as follows: December 23, 2004 -- $329,935.08 and December 30, 2004 B $358,252.91. Ayes all. Warrants Commissioner Matthew McCabe moved and Commissioner Stephen Towne seconded to approve the warrants as follows: 2005 regular warrant 1/4/05 3DEC04 $ 584,449.38 2004 mini warrant 12/29/04 MC041229 $ 102,726.00 Ayes all. Budget Transfers Page 2 of 4 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, January 4, 2005 Commissioner Matthew McCabe moved and Commissioner Thomas McTygue seconded to approve the transfers as previously distributed with Friday’s agenda (Attachment A). Ayes all. Budget Amendments Commissioner Matthew McCabe said there were no budget amendments. Director of Finance (05-02) Commissioner Matthew McCabe announced the appointment of Christine Gillmett-Brown as Director of Finance effective January 2, 2005. This is a provisional appointment and subject to the Civil Service examination. Computer Support Technician (05-03) Commissioner Matthew McCabe announced the permanent appointment of Jeffrey Cornick as the Computer Support Technician. Deputy Commissioner (05-04) Commissioner Matthew McCabe announced the appointment of Lynn Bachner as the Deputy Commissioner of Finance. Commissioner Thomas McTygue congratulated Lynn Bachner on her appointment and thanked her for her assistance during the recent months. Payroll Commissioner Matthew McCabe said that a grievance had been filed by the PBA lieutenants in connection with differential pay. He said that after review and discussions between the lieutenants and the City’s labor counsel, John Poklemba, the City will make compensation to the lieutenants as stipulated in the contract. Matthew Dorsey clarified that their contract has expired, however, the terms remain in effect and all conditions are held over until a new contract is signed. Matthew Dorsey confirmed that there was no need to vote on this item. The lieutenants’ pay is tied to the sergeants’ pay. Because the sergeants’ pay has changed, the lieutenants’ pay must also change. Commissioner Matthew McCabe said that this is an informational item only. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS Christmas Trees Commissioner Thomas McTygue reminded everyone that in order for DPW to pick up Christmas trees and wreaths left at the curb side, they must be tinsel/ornament/wire free. He asked that all decorations be removed before placing the tree or wreath at the curb. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY Child Safety Seat Training in September 2004 Commissioner Thomas Curley moved and Mayor Michael Lenz seconded to approve the purchase of food served at the Child Safety Seat Training seminar held in September 2004 at a cost of $1,200. This was budgeted through the grant funds. Ayes all. Page 3 of 4 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, January 4, 2005 SUPERVISORS Phil Klein said that the County Board of Supervisors held their organizational meeting and elected Mary Ann Johnson, Town of Day, as the new chair. He is now the chair of the Social Services Committee and Anthony Scirocco will chair the DPW committee. He also noted that Ray Callanan will maintain the chairmanship of the water committee. Commissioner Thomas McTygue asked when the County might start the SEQR process for the Hudson. Phil Klein said they intend to hire an attorney no later than March then the formal process will begin. The SEQR will run parallel with the design phase and they hoped to complete the SEQR and design within the next year. Anthony Scirocco reviewed the Saratoga County budget noting the following: 1. Their budget is more than $200 million. 2. Spending increased by 5.3 percent over the 2004 budget. 3. The increase in the general operating portion is 2.1 percent 4. The social service budget is the largest part of their budget at $57 million (40 percent of the general fund) 5. Medicaid is the largest single line item at $28.4 million. 6. The County’s entire property tax levy is $35.6 million 7. Medicaid accounts for $4 out of every $5 of the property tax levy 8. The county infirmary will take in $5.6 million less than it needs. 9. Despite everything the County lowered their tax rate and there has been no increase in the tax rate in 20 years. 10. Saratoga County has the lowest tax rate in the state. 11. The City will receive $1.5 million for the parking structure 12. Other expenditures include $500,000 for open space, $200,000 for wireless 911 equipment and $50,000 for activities for the celebration of the conclusion of the Vietnam War. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD Mayor Michael Lenz opened the second public comment period. No one spoke. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Michael Lenz moved and Commissioner Thomas Curley seconded to adjourn the meeting at 7:30 p.m. Ayes all. There being no further business, Mayor Michael Lenz adjourned the meeting at 7:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Kathy Moran Clerk Approved: Page 4 of 4