City Council

CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS CITY COUNCIL MEETING CITY COUNCIL ROOM TUESDAY, JANUARY 18, 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 Deborah Harper, Deputy Commissioner, Accounts Alicia Wardell, Deputy Mayor Matthew Dorsey, City Attorney PUBLIC HEARING Assessment Calendar Change Commissioner Stephen Towne said new state legislation changes the assessment calendar dates. In order to receive state aid and to maintain the single tax rate for the school district, the City needs to comply with the new assessment calendar. A local law had been drafted and distributed to Council members. Tony Popolizio, Assistant Assessor, said the state adopted new legislation in December 2004 which standardizes the assessment calendars. If the Council adopts this new calendar, it ensures that the City can continue to pursue state aid. This new assessment calendar also creates consistency for taxpayers. This is a positive step for the City and its residents. Commissioner Stephen Towne read into the record a letter from John MacFadden and Kurt Jaeger from the Saratoga Springs City School District supporting this change. Mayor Michael Lenz opened the public hearing. There being no one wishing to speak, Mayor Michael Lenz closed the public hearing. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Michael Lenz called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD Mayor Michael Lenz opened the first public comment period. Page 1 of 13 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, January 18, 2005 Marjorie VanMeter, 175 Washington Street, member of the League of Women Voters, said a meeting would be held at the public library on January 20 at 7:00 p.m. to review and evaluate charter implementation to date. She said a small committee of volunteers has been tracking charter implementation and is also keeping residents advised of the progress. She invited all to attend. John Kauffman, 44 White Street, said that SPAC is a key attraction for this community. The recent audit exposed the gross mismanagement of the organization and the Attorney General was also not reviewing the matter. The SPAC Board needs to be held accountable. Today’s decision to hire Marcia White was a concern. There was no national search for a new director. She has no experience in running a multimillion dollar arts center. SPAC needs an executive with strong management skills and the ability to raise funds. The Council should formally call on SPAC to conduct a national search. It will take great courage for Mayor Michael Lenz, and Commissioners Stephen Towne and Thomas Curley to question Senator Joseph Bruno’s part in this appointment. SPAC needs to do a national search. Peter Looker, 45 Jefferson Street, said that Marcia White just hosted a $1,000 plate fundraiser last week so maybe there was some possibility for her. He said the City needs to move people more efficiently and suggested people movers. There needs to be more bus transportation. There needs to be support for a pedestrian friendly City. Jennifer Lydig, 11 Pearl Street, representing Save the Ballet, said the SPAC Board needs to be held accountable for past transgressions. There should have been a national search and she believed the community was shortchanged. Save the Ballet is a nonpartisan group that has worked with Marcia White. Marcia White has reached out to the community numerous times on his matter. She was willing to work with Marcia White. The community has many untapped resources and she was willing to give Marcia White a chance. There being no one else wishing to speak, Mayor Michael Lenz closed the public comment period. MAYOR=S OFFICE Proclamation - Kiwanis (05-05) Mayor Michael Lenz read the following proclamation: A PROCLAMATION OF THE CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS WHEREAS, 90 years ago Kiwanis International began its remarkable and distinguished service to people in need. Over the years, Kiwanians have worked tirelessly on a tremendous number of humanitarian projects. They have furnished food, clothing and shelter to thousands of people, rushed medicine and supplies to victims of war and disasters, and helped build the character of young people. Most recently they have begun extensive efforts to aid tsunami victims. They proudly continue serving their communities with 8,600 clubs and more than 300,000 members, and WHEREAS, our own Saratoga Springs Kiwanis Club was chartered in 1953 and has counted hundreds of Saratogians among its membership. They have always been particularly active with Key Club programs in Saratoga Springs schools and they remain strongly focused on the many needs of our young citizens. Page 2 of 13 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, January 18, 2005 NOW, THEREFORE, I, MICHAEL A. LENZ, Mayor of the City of Saratoga Springs, am pleased to congratulate the talented and dedicated members of Kiwanis International and the Saratoga Springs Kiwanis Club on this milestone in their organization's history. May they long continue to admirably fulfill their promise of service and support to our world and our children. Sy Sazlow, past president and charter member of the Kiwanis thanked the Council for this proclamation. Proclamation - Jaycees (05-06) Mayor Michael Lenz read the following proclamation: A PROCLAMATION Of THE CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS Whereas, for 82 years the members of the United States Junior Chamber of Commerce, known to us as the Jaycees, have worked vigorously to provide lessons in community service and leadership to young persons throughout our country, and Whereas, our own Saratoga Springs Junior Chamber has served us for 38 years and has inspired many young Saratogians to give generously of their time and talent for the benefit of our city, and Whereas, our Jaycees continue to contribute every year to our quality of life through programs that range from Easter Egg Hunts and porch decorating contests to the recognition of outstanding Saratogians, Now therefore, I, Michael A. Lenz, Mayor of the City of Saratoga Springs, am pleased to honor the good works and achievements of Jaycees past and present, and to proclaim the week of January 16 to January 22 as JAYCEE WEEK. Kathy Lanfear, member of the Jaycees, thanked the Council for their support and the proclamation. Contract with Field Organizer for Cable Franchise Renewal Mayor Michael Lenz withdrew this item from the agenda. Grade and Salary for Administrator of Parks, Open Lands and Historic Places (05-07) Mayor Michael Lenz moved and Commissioner Stephen Towne seconded to set the grade and step for the Administrator of Parks, Open Lands and Historic Places at Grade 14, Step 1, $43,722. Mayor Michael Lenz said this was the last of three positions mandated by the charter. This position will work with identifying open spaces in the community and will have oversight of Urban Heritage Area and the City Historian. This position will also work in conjunction with DPW and the Recreation Department. He noted that $50,000 had been budgeted for this position. Ayes all. Affordable Housing Trust Fund Oversight Committee Mayor Michael Lenz said he previously appointed a committee on affordable housing trust fund and they gave a report to the Council on the creation of a trust fund. It was noted that an oversight board to administer the trust fund and to act as liaison between the Council and Community Development Page 3 of 13 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, January 18, 2005 should be established. He then appointed the following individuals to that committee. Steve Sullivan, chair; Dan Irizarri, Lucille Lucas, Dave Carr, Steve Ferraro, Bob Pasciullo, Wayne Bemis & Brad Birge (staff). Availability of 2005 CDBG Funding Applications Mayor Michael Lenz announced that the 2005 Community Development Block Grant funding applications are available in the City’s Community Development office or on the City’s WEB page. Applications are due on February 3. Revised Rehabilitation Grant Guidelines (05-08) Mayor Michael Lenz reported that the City’s rehabilitation grant program guidelines have been revised to incorporate the most recent federal fair market rent rates to increase the maximum grant from $8,000 to $10,000. Mayor Michael Lenz moved and Commissioner Thomas Curley seconded to approve the revision of the guidelines for the City’s rehabilitation grant program to increase the maximum grant from $8,000 to $10,000. Ayes all. Technical Services Agreement for City Housing Rehabilitation (05-09) Mayor Michael Lenz said this agreement will permit the Community Development office to acquire the technical services necessary to implement the City’s Housing Rehabilitation programs in light of recent federal mandates for lead-based paint inspection and safe-work practices. Funding for the acquisition of these services is available within existing Community Development funding. The agreement has been reviewed by the Risk & Safety Manager and the City Attorney. Approval from Civil Service is still pending. Mayor Michael Lenz moved and Commissioner Stephen Towne seconded to authorize the Mayor to sign the agreement for technical services as distributed. Ayes all. State of the City Address Mayor Michael Lenz said the State of the City Address would be held on Sunday, January 30 at 1:00 p.m. at the Casino. Parking Lot Lease with Stewarts (05-10) Mayor Michael Lenz moved and Commissioner Matthew McCabe seconded to add the parking lot lease with Stewarts to the agenda. It was noted that this item was not listed on the previous agenda due to an oversight. Ayes all. Mayor Michael Lenz moved and Commissioner Matthew McCabe seconded to authorize the Mayor to sign the agreement with Stewarts for the use of the parking area at the old Mobil Gas Station on Lake Avenue. Mayor Michael Lenz explained that Stewarts has no immediate plans for this location and he estimated that between 30 and 50 cars would fit on the lot. He said this additional parking would be a great benefit to the downtown. This is a short term fix. Page 4 of 13 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, January 18, 2005 Ayes all. ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENT Approval of December 21, 2004, meeting minutes Commissioner Stephen Towne moved and Commissioner Matthew McCabe seconded to approve the December 21, 2004, meeting minutes. Ayes all. Approval of January 4, 2005, meeting minutes Commissioner Stephen Towne moved and Commissioner Thomas Curley seconded to approve the January 4, 2005, meeting minutes with a few minor corrections. Ayes all. Approval of December 21, 2004, meeting minutes Commissioner Stephen Towne moved and Commissioner Matthew McCabe seconded to approve the January 11, 2005, meeting minutes. Ayes all. Commissioners of Deeds Upon the recommendation of the Department of Public Safety, Commissioner Stephen Towne appointed the following individuals as Commissioners of Deeds with a term of two years: Shane Crooks, Lloyd Davis, Megan Ennis and Dan Mullan all from the Police Department School Board Contract Commissioner Stephen Towne moved and Commissioner Thomas Curley seconded to authorize the Mayor to sign the agreement with the Saratoga Springs City School District for the use of 13 voting machines for their bond referendum vote to be held on February 8. The agreement was reviewed by both the Risk & Safety Manager and the City Attorney’s Office. Ayes all. Assessment Calendar Change (05-11) Commissioner Stephen Towne moved and Mayor Michael Lenz seconded to adopt Local Law #1 of 2005 to amend section 7.2.1 of the charter of the City of Saratoga Springs regarding the change to the assessment calendar. Ayes all. Records Management Year End Review Nancy Wagner said the mission of the City’s Records Management Program is to preserve historical records and information, effectively manage annual records growth, streamline, increase and enhance the accessibility and retrieval of information. The primary function of the program is to ensure that records are retained pursuant to the Arts and Cultural Affairs Law and Title 8 of the Official Compilation of Codes. She reminded Council members that at their April 6, 2004, Council meeting the Council passed a resolution supporting the repeal of the sunset provision of the State Archives and Records Page 5 of 13 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, January 18, 2005 Administration’s Local Government Records Management Improvement Fund Program. Since that time, the state legislature repealed the sunset provision ensuring the continuation of this program. Nancy Wagner said last year the City was awarded a grant of $14, 466 to purchase, install and implement the Munis Building Code and Permits module. The final training is being completed and the program should be live by the end of the week. The program will accelerate the permit process by allowing efficient and improved information sharing on permits and applications. This year, the City received $37,978 for a Historical Records Preservation Project to be used for a fire suppression unit in the City Clerk vault and the microfilming of the City’s Birth, Death and Marriage Records. The City also received $7,357 dollars this year to streamline files management in the Civil Service Office. These awards bring the total of Record Management Grants received by the City since 1991 to $224,789 Nancy Wagner informed Council members that 2004 was the first year for the new grant application deadline of December 1. The City submitted two proposals: One for $72,981 for an “e-Government” project for a vendor to restructure the City’s Website to a content management system with interactive capability for the public and the implementation of a business transaction component to allow for the online payment of parking tickets. The second request was for $6,190 to inventory and organize the records of the Saratoga Springs Fire Department and upgrade their record storage area with steel shelving, record boxes and a fire rated door. Nancy Wagner said more than 100 cubic feet of records in the Accounts vault were disposed, transferred or moved to accommodate 157 volumes of birth, death and genealogy records and related supplies from the Department of Public Safety. The Accounts Department purchased and implemented licensing software for more efficient record processing and management of the department’s licensing and vital records. An inventory of Insurance records is underway to create space and ensure information accessibility. She said there was some reorganization to the use of Finance office space. In the Fire Department the fire inspection records were inventoried and reorganized. In the Police Department their retention schedule was updated and she continues to assist the Identification Clerk in categorizing case files. Nancy Wagner said that in 2005 she would: 1) Reorganize, inventory, and purge the Public Safety Administration and Parking Ticket Records; 2) Inventory, purge and database the City Attorney’s Records; and 3) Create a database of all City contracts now on file with the City Clerk because these are one of the most frequently requested records in City Hall. The database will be accessible to anyone in City Hall that needs it. Nancy Wagner said December 1 is the deadline for grant applications and asked that if any Commissioner had recommendations for a grant to please contact her. She said she was considering updating and improving the City’s off-site inactive record storage center and/or digitization of the City’s maps and plans. FINANCE OFFICE Payrolls Commissioner Matthew McCabe moved and Commissioner Thomas Curley seconded to approve the payrolls as follows: January 7, 2005 -- $360,984.24 and January 14, 2005 B $410,425.96. Ayes all. Page 6 of 13 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, January 18, 2005 Warrants Commissioner Matthew McCabe moved and Commissioner Stephen Towne seconded to approve the warrants as follows: 2004 regular warrant 1/18/05 4DEC04 $ 594,327.39 2005 regular warrant 1/18/05 2 JAN05 $ 101,530.82 2004 mini warrant1/12/05 MC040111 $ 56,467.85 2004 mini warrant1/12/05 MC040112 $ 6,682.63 2005 mini warrant1/12/05 MC050112 $ 160,341.13 Ayes all. Budget Transfers Commissioner Matthew McCabe moved and Mayor Michael Lenz seconded to approve the transfers as previously distributed with Friday’s agenda (Attachment A) noting that Lines 1& 2 B from the Mayor’s Office, no explanation is necessary, as this transfer does not exceed 10 percent of the budget line appropriation. Ayes all. Budget Amendments Commissioner Matthew McCabe moved and Commissioner Thomas Curley seconded to approve the budget amendments as previously distributed with Friday’s agenda (Attachment B) noting that lines 1&2 B from the Dept. of Public Safety, for funds received from New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services for the services of Inv. John Kelly in his role as coordinator of the DARE officer training session to be held in Saratoga Springs beginning 1/17/05; Lines 3-5 B deleted entries; Lines 6-8 - from the Dept of Public Safety, grant monies received from FEMA for storm damage to repair walkways, roadway and curbing; lines 9-10 - from the Dept of Public Safety, for funds received from New York State that is reimbursement for overtime that was incurred in EMS training.; Lines 11&12 B from the Dept of Public Safety, for funds received from the County of Saratoga for overtime incurred in HAZMAT training.; Lines 13-15 - from the Dept of Public Safety, this is to establish the budget for a federal grant from FEMA for fire equipment. Ayes all. Transportation Advisory Committee Presentation Greg Cuda, Chair, Transportation Advisory Committee, said this committee looked at congestion as well parking. He said areas of concern are growth, downtown parking, underutilized public transportation, bike trails and pedestrian improvement. Bob Giordano said the report given to Council does not solve the issues but presents recommendations. The committee believed that one area to reap the best benefits was in public transportation. He said there is a need to reduce the demand for downtown parking spaces. The City needs to be visitor friendly and environmentally sound. The existing CDTA bus route is underutilized, with low readership, poorly designed routes, no signage and no advertisements. He said CDTA is trying to reach out to the community to make the routes more successful. One area of success is the summer time trolley. In 2000 there were 3,000 riders, in 2002, 2,800 riders, in 2003 3,000 riders and in 2004 a second trolley was added to accommodate the 6,000 riders. There is a whole host of other misc. riding services such as Skidmore, Wesley, senior transit, Trailways, Saratoga Springs School District and the train station. The City needs to develop a working Page 7 of 13 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, January 18, 2005 relationship with CDTA. CDTA is reallocating about $400,000 funds to the City for a new shuttle that will be clearly identifiable and will run in 10 to 15 minute intervals. It will be free for riders in the tourism months and for special events. The City tested the trolley during the Victorian Streetwalk and had more than800 riders. There were between 400 and 600 cars parked in the satellite lots and there were a lot of positive responses from the riders. The shuttle was a success due to planning cooperation, coordination, publicity and convenience. It was a community effort. Larry Levine said that biking by services workers, tourists, kids, students and commuters should be encouraged. The City is not bike friendly at this time with limited spaces to park cars to bike downtown and limited bike racks throughout the City. He said shared bike lanes were also an issue. There are bike routes, but generally people are not aware of those routes. Many of the streets are not set up for bikes. The existing transportation system has outdated maps, few signs and the suggested routes are not safe for bike riders. The proposed connection to the Spring Run Trail was a good plan. The City should consider new bike routes for Geyser Crest and Route 50. The Council needs to consider bike trails when considering new construction projects. Bike parking facilities should be strategically placed to work with the bus shuttle system. Bob Giordano said the City needs to be more pedestrian friendly to decrease the amount of cars. The City is already quite good at being pedestrian friendly but there are some things such as handicapped accessibility, pedestrian promotion, safety and better crosswalks that could be done. This committee was willing to work with future committees on this matter. He said there could be signs placed at the entrance ways to the City stating “Saratoga Springs is a pedestrian friendly community, please yield to pedestrians in crosswalks”. Bob Giordano said that they were willing to continue to work with the Council. The existing routes need to be improved and promoted. CDTA is looking at internet services for buses. The City should promote cycling and satellite parking lots. There is about $400,000 in funds for which the City could apply. Some expenses could be borne by developers. There are other incentives such as bus passes distributed by local businesses that should be considered. Commissioner Matthew McCabe thanked the committee for all of their work on this matter. He noted that the Mayor has another group working with CDTA and he encouraged the Council to continue to focus on this issue. He welcomed any comments from Council members. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS Saratoga Springs School District Contract (05-12) Commissioner Thomas McTygue moved and Commissioner Thomas Curley seconded to authorize the Mayor to sign the yearly contract with the school district for recreational field maintenance and capital improvements. He said this is the same contract as last year. Ayes all. David Denatolis Contract (05-13) Commissioner Thomas McTygue moved and Commissioner Thomas Curley seconded to authorize the Mayor to sign the contract with David Denatolis for maintenance to the Cogen contingent upon review by the City Attorney and the Risk & Safety Manager. Ayes all. Page 8 of 13 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, January 18, 2005 Discussion & Possible Vote - SPAC (05-14) Commissioner Thomas McTygue moved and Mayor Michael Lenz seconded to add this item to the agenda, noting that because of the holiday yesterday it was not listed. Ayes all. Commissioner Thomas McTygue moved and Commissioner Matthew McCabe seconded the following resolution: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS BE IT RESOLVED, that the Saratoga Springs City Council calls on the Board of the Saratoga Performing Arts Center to perform a national search and that today’s appointment be made temporary pending the completion of the search. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that should the SPAC Board not perform an open search that the Mayor as representative of the City, request that the Commissioner of Parks and Recreation and the New York State Attorney General intercede to the extent permitted by law to require that a fair and open search be initiated and mandating that the person currently selected be made temporary. Commissioner Matthew McCabe said maybe there should be a search for a new Board of Directors for SPAC. The City needs to be careful though about telling other organizations how to run their affairs and who their political appointments should be. He reminded everyone that the City has political appointments. He was pleased to see that the salary had been reduced. He was not happy with the appearance of her appointment, however, was willing to give her a chance. If the rest of the Council supported this resolution, he would go along with it, however, he was not completely comfortable. Mayor Michael Lenz said he would not support the resolution. He said the grass roots organization Save the Ballet and the community have rallied behind this important issue by lobbying legislators and raising funds. Senator Joseph Bruno offered $300,000 to SPAC. SPAC has been audited and changes have been made including the new director. The SPAC Board needs to be held accountable. With this new director they need management, public relations and fund-raising. He spoke to Marcia White today and her first priority is to ensure that the ballet stays at SPAC. The Save the Ballet organization will be monitoring this matter and will hold the Board of Directors and Marcia White accountable. The City should give her an opportunity. He will reach out to her and the Board of Directors. Commissioner Thomas McTygue said he wished her success, however, she did not have the background to run this organization. She could be successful at fund-raising though. The Council needs to talk with the Board of Directors about getting some revenues from them from an entertainment or admissions tax that would cover the cost of police and fire expenses for their larger concerts. Mayor Michael Lenz said he would reach out to Marcia White to discuss these types of recommendations. Commissioner Stephen Towne said he believed this resolution was premature. There is new Page 9 of 13 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, January 18, 2005 leadership at NYRA and there has been communication between them and the City. The City should reach out to SPAC and Marcia White. The Council should not pass this resolution. The Council does not know what process SPAC went through to select her, but it was likely that they looked at fundraising, organizational abilities, vision and her ability to interact with the community. The SPAC Board of Directors issued a unanimous decision on her selection. The Board of Directors has two City representatives and he did not believe they would risk their reputations. Senator Joseph Bruno has been a friend to the City on numerous occasions in providing aid for the hospital, grant money for the regional water solution and $300,00 for SPAC. He did not believe that the Council should tell SPAC how to run their organization. We should give her a chance. Commissioner Thomas Curley said he could not think of another instance where the City had gotten involved in telling another organization how to run their organization. He said Senator Joseph Bruno has made a commitment to this community many times with grants for both the police and fire departments, Spit & Spat and the carousel. He said the City should give her a chance. He said the local people on the Board will represent this community well. Ayes: one (Commissioner Thomas McTygue); Nays: four (Commissioner Stephen Towne, Matthew McCabe, Thomas Curley and Mayor Michael Lenz.) Motion denied. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY Set Public Hearing - Beekman Street Commissioner Thomas Curley requested that a public hearing be set for February 1, at 6:35, to discuss making Beekman Street between Grand Avenue and Washington Street one way. Police Department overtime Commissioner Thomas Curley made a presentation on overtime in the Department of Public Safety Police Department: Commissioner Thomas Curley said in 2002 $691,467 was spent on overtime, in 2003 they spent $641,984; in 2004 they spent $532,336. That is a reduction of $109,648 from 2003 to 2004 and a reduction of $159,131 since 2002. The Police Department overtime budget was reduced by 30 percent since 2002. He intends to make further cuts this year and will ask for Council support for those changes. Cutting overtime is not popular but if done correctly, can be right for the department and the community. Services will not suffer. If we find outside revenue sources such as grants, he can assure everyone that more services can be provided. Last year he gave the Police Department Administration a great deal of influence in the decision making process hoping that they would act in the best interest of the department. This year he will take a more active approach to working within the department to ensure that the changes are effective and productive. In 2004, DPS paid $38,000 to cover minimum shifts for supervisors and the majority was caused because there was a sergeant out on injury. The money will be reimbursed by the County workers compensation program, but there is still a vacancy that needs to be filled. He will institute a temporary sergeant position to give the City the coverage and it will not incur overtime expenses. Commissioner Thomas Curley said in 2004 the City spent $65,000 on summer traffic and track related expenses. The costs should have been closer to $35,000 but there was some disagreement between the Chief and his office on the plan, therefore, he believed more was spent than should have been. In 2005 he will look at the staffing schedule with the goal of cutting overtime from that Page 10 of 13 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, January 18, 2005 schedule from about 1,500 hours to about 1,000 hours. He is considering talking to NYRA about recouping some of the expenditures made by his department during the rack season. The City spent approximately $43,000 in overtime for special events in 2004. In 2005 he will look at those services to ensure that everyone pays a fair share. He will meet with the organizations that cause these additional expenses to discuss fair share costs. Commissioner Thomas Curley said during 2004 the City spent $26,000 on overtime to have a second supervisor on weekends for the first and second shifts. He proposed a number of scheduling alternatives that would have eliminated the need for built in overtime, but unfortunately there was no cooperation from the union or administration. He made a decision to eliminate the second supervisor on weekends during the off season and directed a senior patrol person to work the desk with one supervisor scheduled for patrols. Commissioner Thomas Curley said he would revamp the community policing program. The cost will be $22,000 to provide that service. He said that it could be done more cost effectively this year and he will put an end to the existing type schedule. He has appointed two new community policing officers which will bring the unit up to full staffing. It will eliminate the need for built in overtime. Commissioner Thomas Curley said the figures he mentioned were after and good amount of active work in generating revenues and grant money to pay for some of the overtime. The City has about $60,000 of overtime that was funded by grants. He will continue to actively pursue those grants. He has negotiated contracts that will change some of the areas that would have generated overtime. The City paid $10,000 for on call pay to investigators, which has been renegotiated and will now be paid annually in a lump sum, straight time as opposed to overtime. Commissioner Thomas Curley said his goal is to reduce overtime in 2005 by 15 percent. To make sure that we achieve that goal, he has asked Erin Dreyer, Deputy Commissioner of Public Safety, to continue to provide analyzation of the budget for the entire department in order to continue to further increase our efficiencies. DPS has turned a corner and he did not intend to go backwards. He will present the Fire Department overtime at a future Council meeting. Approval for Department to put a bid on a used truck for the Fire Department (05-15) Commissioner Thomas Curley moved and Commissioner Stephen Towne seconded to allow the Fire Department to place a bid on a 1977 Mack Pumper with approximately 49,000 miles at the bid price of $6,000. The funds will come from within his budget. Commissioner Thomas Curley said the truck was refurbished in 1986. The truck meets minimum standards and it is a fully operational vehicle. It’s an excellent opportunity for the City to serve as a back up engine. New trucks are in the price range of $350,000. Ayes all. Approval to fund a new police cleaner position Commissioner Thomas Curley said because they have a 24/7, 365 days per year operation, cleaning is an issue. He said it was recommended by the insurance survey that additional cleaning be provided. He would work with Commissioner Thomas McTygue on this matter. Page 11 of 13 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, January 18, 2005 Commissioner Thomas McTygue said he had a part time employee already on staff who could likely pick up these extra hours. Four firefighter positions for upcoming academy (05-16) Commissioner Thomas Curley said he wanted to prepare for anticipated vacancies. They will have four or five retirements this year. He proposed that the Council approve four positions for the upcoming academy. These are temporary positions, created through civil service. These positions will not increase the firefighter complement. He had talked to the unions and Civil Services on this matter. An approval this evening must be contingent upon Civil Service approval. Commissioner Thomas Curley moved and Commissioner Matthew McCabe seconded to authorize the creation of four temporary positions to be used to for academy training. He said the funding would come from within his budget. Commissioner Stephen Towne clarified that this will not increase the amount of bodies in the fire department. Commissioner Thomas Curley said yes. He said any additional costs for the training would be offset by the reductions in overtime. Commissioner Thomas Curley said he would return to the Council with the grade, salary and effective dates. Ayes all. Approval for Mayor to sign contract for School Resource Officer (05-17) Commissioner Thomas Curley moved and Mayor Michael Lenz seconded to authorize the Mayor to sign the contract with the school district for the School Resource Officer program contingent upon the review of the City’s Risk Manager. Ayes all. SUPERVISORS Phil Klein reported that the County recently adopted the following resolutions 1. Meals on Wheels Program which would increase the price of what the County pays to Prestige from $3.62 to $3.79. 2. Contract with Capital Land Taxi for aging transportation renegotiated for a minimal increase. 3. The County entered into a contract with Dufrense & Henry Engineering Services for the pump stations and to look at the motor problem at the Excelsior Avenue Pump Station 4. A contract with Adirondack Community College. ACC will teach a special course for 20 individuals from the County for the manufacture of certain medical devices. This is possible due to a $35,000 grant from the state. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD Mayor Michael Lenz opened the second public comment period. There being no one wishing to speak, Mayor Michael Lenz closed the second public comment period. Page 12 of 13 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, January 18, 2005 ADJOURNMENT Mayor Michael Lenz moved and Commissioner Matthew McCabe seconded to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 p.m. Ayes all. There being no further business, Mayor Michael Lenz adjourned the meeting at 9:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Kathy Moran Clerk Approved: Page 13 of 13