City Council

CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS CITY COUNCIL MEETING CITY COUNCIL ROOM TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 2005 6:30 P. M. Present: Commissioner Thomas Curley, DPS Michael Lenz, Mayor Commissioner Matthew McCabe, Finance Commissioner Stephen Towne, Accounts Absent: Commissioner Thomas McTygue, DPW Supervisors: Phil Klein, Supervisor Anthony Scirocco, Supervisor Staff Present: Lynn Bachner, Deputy Commissioner, Finance Pat Design, Deputy Commissioner, DPW Erin Dreyer, Deputy Commissioner, DPS Alicia Farone, Deputy Mayor Debbie, Harper, Deputy Commissioner, Accounts Matthew Dorsey, City Attorney Call to Order Mayor Michael Lenz called the City Council meeting to order at 6:30 P.M. Mayor Michael Lenz moved and Commissioner Matthew McCabe seconded to adjourn to executive session to discuss the CSEA contract with the City ’s labor attorney John Poklemba . Ayes all The City Council reconvened at 7:00 for a public hearing on Storage Containers. Storage Containers Mayor Lenz opened the public hearing on storage containers at 7:00 PM. Molly Gagne of 22 Vichy Drive thanked the Department of Public Safety for their responsiveness to the concerns about the issue of these refuse containers and for tackling the problem. Joy Walsh, representing Versatile Sheds and Storage owned by Richard Woodcock said she is concerned because they rent out the storage containers which are used for many reasons, including safe storage and clean up after a fire. She said homeowners like the convenience of having the containers on their property and businesses, contractors and retail stores also frequently rent the containers. Commissioner Curley said that if the use is temporary, the ordinance allows for a private or commercial entity to rent the containers and the primary difference is that the ordinance provides for a permitting and regulatory process. He said the ordinance describes under which conditions particular actions are allowed. Joy Walsh said that particular time frame might not be long enough and she is also concerned about delays caused by having to wait for a permit because most people order the containers at the last minute and want them immediately. Commissioner Curley suggested that Joy take a copy and review the ordinance and any additional concerns could always be brought before the council or brought forward as proposed changes. He said there were issues with containers and the Department realized there were no controls in place and it was necessary to establish controls and regulations over the use of these receptacles. City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, April 19, 2005 Assistant City Attorney Tony Izzo said this is a brand new chapter to the City code and there are two more changes to the ordinance tonight, the first in regard to insurance language on page 2, section 43-3 of section d, starting with “Each application shall contain…” the end of that section will now read “and two million dollars aggregate naming the City of Saratoga Springs as additionally insured.” The second change is to delete the last sentence in the same paragraph so that the last word of that paragraph should now be “enterprise”. He explained that section 43-5 exempts the following: containers less than 100 gallons used for daily collection of garbage; any container place on private property less than 7 days; state and local government entities and a container that is entirely concealed from view. Tony Izzo said a permit for use of a container from one to 30 days is $20 and every additional 30 days is $40.00, and if a business is using the container in other than a residential zone for the ordinary collection of garbage all year long, there is a one-year fee of $60. He said that section 43-4 states that if a container is on public property there is an additional review necessary by the Department of Public Works. Seeing that no one else wished to speak, Mayor Lenz closed the public hearing at 7:10 PM. Public Comment Period Mayor Lenz explained that the maximum time allowed for each speaker during the public comment period is two minutes and the entire period would be a maximum of fifteen minutes. Mayor Lenz opened the public comment period. Tim Higgins of 56 Walton Street asked if there is a file on the Woodlawn Avenue Parking Garage and the use of Railroad alley to see how the approval process was done because there does not appear to have been much consideration of the residential impact of a high volume of traffic introduced through the neighborhood as a result of the structure. Geoff Bornemann said that information could be obtained from the Department of Public Works. Tim Higgins said that no one seems to be able to predict the amount of traffic that would be using the alley and any increase of current traffic would have a serious impact on the safety of the residents and the value of property in the neighborhood. Paul John of 52 Walton Street presented a letter to the City Council on behalf of a group of citizens living west of the new parking structure, between Van Dam Street and Church Street that indicated disapproval of the use of the alley as an access path for the parking structure. The letter stated that except for bordering property owners, none of residents were contacted or notified directly for their input concerning the plans of the 220-space parking garage and its impact upon traffic, backyard noise and quality of life. They are disappointed that a traffic study was not done, and using the 11 foot wide alley as an exit is dangerous, and the only solution is to install a gate at the western opening to the lower parking level that would block the parking garage entrance for daily traffic, but be removable for emergency vehicles and DPW personnel. The letter indicated that the proposed use of the alley defeats the intent and definition of an alley and would endanger the residents. He submitted the letter signed by two pages of residents to the City Council. Michael Heck, 53-55 Church Street said his business backs onto Railroad alley and he is concerned that a change of use of the alley to be one-way would have serious consequences on his business and he would like an opportunity to discuss any changes before they happen. Kyle York, 59 Railroad Place said he is preparing a presentation that includes data and statements from the EPA and from engineering firms such as Malcolm Pirnie and CT Male to let people know that there are PCBs in the Hudson River and there will be lawsuits forcing Niagara Mohawk to clean up the 2 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, April 19, 2005 river. He said the information must come out to support the fact that the water must be cleaned before the County water plan can be implemented. Liz Musser of 3 Avery Street thanked the City Council and the League of Women Voters in their attempt to negotiate a new contract with cable to start up a media center because it is a powerful medium and there are a lot of voices that would only be heard from a public access station. Richard Kline, 63 Church Street said he is concerned about the impact of the parking garage on traffic and on the parking used for his clients and employees. He said it is in everyone’s best interest to have a traffic study done soon. Patricia Driscoll, 102 Van Dam Street said that two years ago they requested speed bumps for Railroad alley to help reduce the speed of traffic, but they were not granted. She said traffic goes through the narrow alley in both directions over 30 miles per hour and the proposal to have the parking lot empty into the alley is dangerous and outrageous and it might have to involve litigation in order for the residents to be heard. Christina Kline of 63 Church Street said that having traffic come from the parking lot out of the alley onto Clinton Street would be dangerous because there is a hill situation that impedes visibility, a high amount of traffic to and from Skidmore College, and strong afternoon sun on Church Street. She said that people exiting the parking structure would be more likely to exit onto Clinton Street regardless of other choices, because of the traffic light at Clinton and Church Street. Seeing that no one else wished to speak, Mayor Lenz closed the public comment period at 7:25 PM. Mayor’s Office Mayor Lenz welcomed members of Boy Scouts troop 70 to the meeting, including Nick Alberti, James Hoctor, Erik Moellman, Matt Moellman, Chris Morris, Helen Hoctor and Scoutmaster Bob Alberti. Re-Appointments: West Avenue Special Assessment District (05-71) Mayor Michael Lenz said he received a letter from Matthew Jones of the West Avenue Special Assessment District stating that the WASAD Board of Directors adopted a resolution recommending the reappointment of Paul Male and Phil Klein to the board and requesting that the Mayor seek authorization from the council to reappoint them. Mayor Michael Lenz moved and Commissioner Stephen E. Towne seconded for Council authorization of the reappointment of Paul Male and Phil Klein to the West Avenue Special Assessment District Board of Directors for a three year term expiring 2/15/08. Ayes all. Discussion and Vote: Behan Planning Contract Renewal (05-72) Mayor Michael Lenz moved and Commissioner Thomas Curley seconded for the City Council to approve the Behan Planning contract renewal as distributed at a cost not to exceed $24,000 plus reimbursement of expenses. Commissioner McCabe asked if the money is in the budget, noting that the funds are for specific land acquisition implementation and planning services, and are drawn from the bond act money. He said there is a process in motion and it takes work and time to acquire property and expertise is needed to help the Council make the best decisions. Mayor Lenz said that many of the Council’s discussions relating to land purchases with open space bond act money are required to be held in executive session with limitations as to what the Council can publicly speak about. He reminded the public that a lot of energy is being focused on this and the Behan Planning Contract will help facilitate the action and move these projects forward. Commissioner Towne said the 3 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, April 19, 2005 public sees the expenditure of funds but not the acquisition of land and it seems that nothing is happening but there is a lot of activity behind the scenes. He referred to a remark made by Charles Morrison at a recent forum on open space at Skidmore College that the acquisition of land is delicate and time consuming process with a lot of necessary work involved. Ayes all Discussion and Vote: Change fee Schedule Mayor Lenz pulled this item from the agenda. Vote: Community Development Block Grant 2005 Funding Recommendations (05-73) Brad Birge said that the City Council has been presented with the funding recommendations from the Community Development Advisory Committee for the 2005 funding year, and a public hearing and a thirty-day comment period were held as required. Mayor Michael Lenz moved and Commissioner Stephen E. Towne seconded to accept the Community Development Block Grant 2005 funding recommendations as distributed. Commissioner Towne thanked Brad Birge and the committee for help regarding funding for the South Side field interactive-play fountains. Ayes all . Discussion and Vote: Approval for Contracts for Professional, Legal, and Traffic Impact Services for the Planning Board on the Schuyler at Saratoga (05-74) Mayor Lenz said the Council has received a request from the Planning Board to hire a traffic consultant and an attorney to assist them with the review of the Special Use permit application for a mixed use project known as Schuyler at Saratoga, located at 20 Ballston Avenue, the site of the current Hi-Roc Bowling Lanes. He said the project applicant has agreed to establish two separate $4000 escrow accounts with the Department of Finance. to cover the expenditures for the two consultants so there would be no impact upon the current City budget. Mayor Michael Lenz moved and Commissioner Stephen E, Towne seconded for authorization for the Mayor to sign professional service contracts with Miller, Mannix, Schachner and Hafner, LLC and Creighton Manning Engineering, with each contract to be on an hourly basis for an amount not to exceed $4,000, contingent upon the developer establishing two $4,000 escrow accounts and upon the approval of the final contracts by the City ’s Risk and Safety Manager and City Attorney . Ayes all. Announce: Appointments Mayor Lenz announced the appointment of Spencer Hellwig to the Saratoga Springs Housing Authority Board of Directors for a term expiring April 2010. Discussion and Vote: Property Sale to Sickler/Gill/DeVizzio (05-75) City Attorney Matt Dorsey said that last December the Council approved a motion to sell a section of the alley-way off of North Street to three adjacent landowners. He said that since then they have heard from all three owners and Mr. DeVizzio has declined the offer and has requested in writing that the parcel originally offered to him be offered to Mrs. Sickler. Matt Dorsey asked the Council for a motion to sell the parcel previously offered to Mr. DeVizzio to Mrs. Sickler. He said the parcel would be combined with the other one offered to Mrs. Sickler as parcels b and c for a cost of one dollar plus all associated filing fees. Mayor Michael Lenz moved and Commissioner Thomas Curley seconded to approve the sale of these parcels as presented . Ayes all. Recreation – Discussion and Vote: A. Approval for Mayor to Sign 2005 NY Dept. of Health Renewal Application for Permit to Operate Camp Forms (05-76) 4 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, April 19, 2005 Mayor Michael Lenz moved and Commissioner Tom Curley seconded for approval for the Mayor to sign the 2005 New York State Department of Health Renewal Application for a permit to operate camp and for approval to utilize camp forms that were developed by the Recreation Department and approved by the City Attorney and the City ’s Risk and Safety Manager. City Attorney Matt Dorsey read the list of forms into the record as the Saratoga Springs Summer Recreation Program 2005 Playground Program Handbook; the Saratoga Springs Summer Recreation Program 2005 Camp Saradac Handbook; the City of Saratoga Springs Recreation Department Camp application; the City of Saratoga Springs Recreation Department Permission Agreement; the City of Saratoga Springs Recreation Department Recreation Behavior Agreement; the Saratoga Springs Recreation Department Emergency Medical Authorization form and the City of Saratoga Springs Recreation Department Medication Authorization form. Ayes all. B. Approval of Camp Employees Rates Mayor Mike Lenz moved and Commissioner Thomas Curley seconded to approve the camp employee pay rates as distributed. Commissioner McCabe said he assumes the money for these rates are within the recreation budget although he did not receive a form with this request. Ayes all C. Approval of Preliminary Field Trips Mayor Michael Lenz moved and Commissioner Stephen E. Towne seconded to approve the list of preliminary proposed field trips for 2005 as distributed . Ayes all. ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENT Approval of April 5, 2005 meeting minutes Commissioner Stephen E. Towne moved and Commissioner Matthew McCabe seconded to approve the April 5 City Council minutes previously distributed and amended as recommended by the City Attorney. Matt Dorsey requested that on page 4 under the heading of Executive Session – Shaw Litigation (05-057) the wording be amended to read “Mayor Michael Lenz moved and Commissioner Stephen Towne seconded to make Tony Izzo available as the attorney to represent the five defendants in the Shaw Litigation matter. Ayes all.” Ayes all Approval of April 7, 2005 meeting minutes Commissioner Stephen E. Towne moved and Commissioner Thomas Curley seconded to approve the April 7, 2005 meeting minutes as distributed . Ayes all. Vote: Award of bid: Microfilming of Vital Records Upon the recommendation of the Records Department, Commissioner Stephen E. Towne moved and Commissioner Thomas Curley seconded to award the bid for microfilming of vital records to Info Quick Solutions, Inc. of East Syracuse NY in the amount of $18,198. They were the low bidder. This bid has been reviewed by the Purchasing Department and meets Purchasing Guidelines. Ayes all. Discussion & Vote: Amended Retainer with Special Counsel (05-77) Commissioner Towne explained that he wishes to amend the retainer agreement with the Dorsey Law Firm for professional legal services in the city’s defense of article 7 matters. He said the agreement has been in place for the last three years. The new agreement costs are $100/hour for non-trial services, $135/hour for trial related work and $60 per hour for travel time and the costs for these services are in the Accounts Department budget and are effective immediately. Commissioner Towne 5 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, April 19, 2005 said that over the last three years Matt Dorsey has worked with him on approximately 40 lawsuits, 25 of which were inherited at the beginning of his term, and has done excellent work and has played a significant role in the successful track record the City has established. Commissioner Stephen E. Towne moved and Commissioner Thomas Curley seconded to authorize the Mayor to sign the retainer agreement with the Dorsey Law Firm as presented . The contract has been reviewed by the Assistant City Attorney and the City’s Risk and Safety Manager. Ayes all . Discussion & Vote: Insurance Renewal (05-78) Commissioner Towne said that the City’s present insurance policy expires on April 30, information on the reinsurance renewal was circulated to the City Council last week for their review. He said that over the past three months the City has been working with their insurance carrier, New York Mutual Insurance Reciprocal (NYMIR) on the City’s property and casualty renewal process. He said that three years ago he initiated a formal, professional Risk & Safety Management function which included the hiring of the City’s first full-time Risk Manager, revitalizing the City’s long dormant Safety Committee, better utilizing the expertise of the City’s insurance consultant and developing a pro-active partnership with NYMIR. He said the focus was on making progress by optimizing safety for City employees and citizens, taking steps to protect the City’s interests, and managing the City’s costs effectively while providing the maximum degree of coverage. He explained that he provides regular monthly and quarterly updates to the City Council and the general public, and during the past year the efforts have been directed to those activities that would yield the greatest returns including a focus on improving operational consistency and efficiency through new and updated policies and procedures, a collaborative effort with NYMIR on insurance inspections of numerous City facilities, noting deficiencies and areas in which exposure exists; increasing emphasis on educational and outreach programs to heighten awareness of opportunities to improve safety and minimize risk and making a continuous effort in streamlining the claims management process. Commissioner Towne said that the best indicator of the progress being made in this “Safe City” program is from a quantitative perspective, in that the claims are down 15% from one year ago and the overall change in costs for 2005 over the actual costs for the 2004 calendar year is only 5.28%. He said that in the continuing efforts to lower the cost of City government, it is important to note that these renewal costs are approximately $100,000 below budget and the results of a lot of hard work. Thanks should be given to the Risk and Safety Manager, Marilyn Rivers who has lead much of the effective initiatives as well as to Harry Bucciferro, the City’s Insurance Consultant and to the City’s Safety Committee. Marilyn Rivers said the process of renewal begins in August of each year and is hard work. She said that the Council and the Safety Committee have initiated a lot of changes on behalf of City government and of the community, and they are continually trying to make new inroads. She said it is a great renewal rate and they hope to do even better next year. Harry Bucciferro thanked the Deputies of each Department for the time they spent on the Safety Committee. He said they projected a 17 or 18% increase and there is actually no increase in the proposed policy for the May 2005 through May 2006 policy year. He said there have been significant improvements in the operation and safety of City Departments because of council action including the installation of fire alarms, regular testing of sprinkler systems, evacuation plan drills, and significant reductions in the Auto Experience, especially within the departments of Public Works and Public Safety. Commissioner Stephen E. Towne moved and Commissioner Matthew McCabe seconded to accept the insurance renewal costs of $810,260 for the City ’s insurance year beginning 5/1/05 through 4/30/06. 6 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, April 19, 2005 Commissioner Towne said this is a sizeable savings to the City and the money saved is allocated across all department’s budgets. Commissioner McCabe said that this allocation helped each department head make better decisions that realized significant savings which should be put to proper use toward next year’s budget to keep the costs down for next year as well. Ayes all Discussion & Vote: Authorization for Mayor to sign professional service contract for Downtown Archaeological Management Program (05-79) Upon the recommendation of the Design Review Commission, Commissioner Stephen Towne moved and Commissioner Matthew McCabe seconded to authorize the Mayor to sign the professional service contract with Hartgen Archaeological Associates in the amount of $15,821.50 to develop an archaeological management plan, the only bidder. He explained that the plan focuses on the City’s downtown commercial core and may extend out along the commercial corridors. The Purchasing Department reviewed this RFP and the City Attorney and the City’s Risk and Safety Manager reviewed the contract. Commissioner McCabe asked if the money for this is from the Mayor’s Department, specifically in the Planning Budget and Mayor Lenz confirmed that it is. Discussion & Vote: Initiate coordinated review for SEQR lead agency for the environmental review of the Congress Park Center PUD amendments (05-80) Commissioner Towne said there is a request from the developers of the Congress Park Center PUD to initiate a coordinated review of the environmental assessment of the proposed PUD amendments. The Planning Board is in the final stages of preparing recommendations to the council on the revised set of amendments. Commissioner Towne explained that before the City Council votes on these new amendments, there must be a thirty-day coordinated review process to establish SEQR lead agency for the environmental review of these amendments. Since there are several involved agencies including the Planning Board and the Design Review Commission, a coordinated review must take place to determine the lead agency for the environmental assessment of the proposed amendments. Commissioner Stephen E. Towne moved and Commissioner Thomas Curley seconded for the initiation of a coordinated review among the involved agencies with a request that the City Council be the lead agency. Ayes all 7 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, April 19, 2005 FINANCE DEPARTMENT Payrolls Commissioner Matthew McCabe moved and Commissioner Stephen E. Towne seconded to approve the payrolls as follows: April 8, 2005 - $347,087.28 and April 15, 2005 - $343,597.36. Ayes all Warrants Commissioner Matthew McCabe moved and Stephen E. Towne seconded to approve the following warrants: 2005 Regular Warrant: 4/19/05 2APR05 $ 155,712.40 2005 Mini Warrant: 4/13/05 MC1APR05 $ 313,459.49 Ayes all Budget Transfers – To/From Payroll Commissioner Matthew McCabe moved and Commissioner Stephen E. Towne seconded to approve the 2005 budget transfers from payroll, previously distributed with the agenda (Attachment A). He said this set of transfers is listed separately, per the budget transfer policy, which requires that transfer requests from or to payroll receive separate Council approval. He explained that lines 1 & 2 of the transfers are from the Mayor’s Office and these funds are being transferred so that the Planning Board may hire an attorney on an hourly basis. Commissioner McCabe explained that lines 3&4 are from the Mayor’s Office, the City School District has allowed that the City may put the $25,000 that the School District provides yearly for work at the East Side and West Side recreation parks towards the renovation of the wading pools into Interactive Water Parks. Ayes all . Budget Transfers – Regular Commissioner Matthew McCabe moved and Commissioner Thomas Curley seconded to approve the 2005 Budget Transfers/regular previously distributed with the agenda (Attachment B). Commissioner McCabe explained that lines 1 & 2 are from the City Center so this transfer requires no explanation. Lines 3 & 4 are from the Recreation Department to enable an employee to take a course. Lines 5 – 7 are from the Mayor’s Office, the City School District has allowed that the City may put the $25,000 that the school district provides yearly for work at the East Side and West Side Recreation Parks towards the renovation of the Interactive Water Parks. Ayes all. Budget Amendments Commissioner Matthew McCabe moved and Mayor Michael Lenz seconded to approve the 2005 Budget Amendments previously distributed with the agenda. (Attachment C). Commissioner McCabe explained that lines 1 & 2 are from the Department of Public Safety for funds received from the Northeast Housing LLC for the second installment of $20,400 on the Navy Pilot. Lines 3 & 4 are from the Department of Public Safety for funds received from Saratoga County for overtime incurred in the HAZMAT program. Lines 5&6 are from the Accounts Department, the insurance reimbursement for damage to a traffic signal control cabinet and decorative street light on 2/27/05. Lines 7 & 8 are from the Accounts Department, an insurance reimbursement for damage to a traffic signal control cabinet on 3/01/05. Lines 9 & 10 are from the Mayor’s Office to properly record the Springs Run Trail Budget. It brings the NIMO in-kind donation into the budget and makes a minor correction in a 2002 purchase order. 8 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, April 19, 2005 Vote: Authorization for Mayor to sign 2005 contract for the 2004 annual audit with Bollam, Sheedy, Torani, & Co., LLP(05-81) Commissioner Matthew McCabe moved and Commissioner Stephen E. Towne seconded for the Mayor to enter into the 2005 contract for the 2004 annual audit with Bollam, Sheedy, Torani & Co., LLP. in the amount of $19,000, which is in the Finance budget, and the insurance documentation has been approved by the City ’s Risk Manager. Ayes all. Discussion: Shuttle 2005 Commissioner McCabe said he has held meetings with concerned organizations and personnel from SPAC, the track, the Downtown Business Association, the Chamber of Commerce, hotel owners and representatives discussing a possible shuttle service. He said the next meeting is scheduled for next Monday and it is open to the public. He said these meetings are informal and held for the purpose of information gathering. He said there is concern for parking and pedestrian safety. He said money and time are crucial so there are no promises yet but the idea is to model something after the shuttle of the Victorian Streetwalk where perimeter parking lots would be used, with permission from owners, on special days during the track season and weekends where heavy traffic is expected and visitors could be shuttled to various downtown destinations. He said a sidebar to that shuttle would be a hospitality shuttle to and from SPAC to ease traffic. He said the idea is in the discussion phase at this point and comments from the public are welcomed. It is about making the shuttle, safe, efficient and easier. Department of Public Works Commissioner McCabe filled in for Commissioner McTygue. Discussion and Vote: Accept Donation – Dehn’s Flowers Commissioner Matthew McCabe moved and Commissioner Stephen E. Towne seconded for council approval to accept the donation of 50 pots of lilies from Dehn ’s Flowers, for a total value of $400.00. Ayes all. MS4 Presentation (Storm Water) – Barton & Loguidice Commissioner McCabe announced that this item has been pulled from the agenda. Department of Public Safety Discussion and Vote: Temporary Storage Container Ordinance (Attachment D) (05-82) Commissioner Curley said a lot of work and time has gone into developing the ordinance and he thanked Assistant City Attorney Tony Izzo, Code Enforcement Officer Kevin Veitch and Deputy Commissioner Erin Dreyer for their efforts to coordinate this. He also thanked the Southwest Neighborhood Association for their input and assistance. Assistant City Attorney Tony Izzo said it is a new chapter of the City Code and the Code Administrators are accepting the responsibility to issue the permits. Commissioner Thomas Curley moved and Commissioner Matthew McCabe seconded to approve an ordinance to create a new chapter 43 of the Code of the City of Saratoga Springs entitled “Temporary Storage Containers ” as presented, a copy of which has been provided to the Clerk to attach to the minutes of this meeting. Ayes all Presentation: Year-end Report 9 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, April 19, 2005 Commissioner Curley said that his department is responsible per the City Charter to create a year-end report and make it available to the public, the City Council and to file the original with the City Clerk in the Accounts Department. He said the report consists of input from all of his department heads and it is the third year that his department has developed an annual report. He said Deputy Commissioner Erin Dreyer assembled the report and they would be happy to answer any questions about the information included in it. Vote: Authorize Mayor to sign HAZMAT Contract (05-83) Commissioner Thomas Curley moved and Commissioner Matthew McCabe seconded for council authorization for the Mayor to sign the HAZMAT Contract with Saratoga County. He said the City Attorney and the City’s Risk Manager have reviewed the contract and found no problems with it. He said a major meeting was held with the County to clarify mutual concerns and as a result the program has evolved beyond expectations with respect to services and equipment the program provides to the City. Commissioner Matthew McCabe said that this looks similar to last year’s agreement and includes a break down of county and city responsibility. He said he is attempting to clarify budget items to verify where the dollars are going. Commissioner Curley explained that the dollars are for over-time reimbursement and extra costs incurred related to the program that are to be paid by the County. Ayes all. SUPERVISORS County Update on Regional Water Solution Supervisor Klein submitted the adopted minutes of the most recent County Water Committee meeting to Public Works Director William McTygue. Supervisor Klein said that they received the March progress report of the County Water project on April 11: He reviewed some of the highlights of the progress made on the Saratoga County water plan: The membrane charcoal filtration equipment procurement document has been prepared. The draft preliminary design report for water treatment plant and transmission main is about 90% complete. Raw water pump station and raw water treatment plant design: Supervisor Klein reported that the geo- technical investigation at the water treatment plant (WTP) site has begun and the site surveys and mapping for the pump station and facility is complete. He said he and Supervisor Scirocco have participated in a vote on Resolution #79, which was passed by the Board of Supervisors to enact State legislation authorizing use of the County’s forestry land on Potter Road in the Town of Moreau for a Water Treatment Plant. He said the Resolution is submitted to the State Legislature for enactment of Home Rule legislation to allow the County to use the County forest parcel specifically to build a Water Treatment Plant on the multi-acre site. The plant will be located in the center and would not be visible by any of the neighborhoods surrounding the site. Transmission Main: Supervisor Klein said that the mapping and preliminary alignment of the main, which is the mapping of the horizontal and vertical layout of the pipe over the landscape, is complete. They are continuing to develop the transmission main contract documents including the pipeline profiles. Permitting Process: Supervisor Klein said this is one of the larger obstacles to be overcome. There are about 60 agencies that need to be notified and involved in the permitting process. 10 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, April 19, 2005 EID and DEIS and Wetlands: The outline for the Environmental Information Document (EID) and the outline for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) have been completed., and the County is beginning the DEIS scoping sessions. Wetland delineation has also been completed. Phase 1A Archeological reports are being submitted and the United State Fish and Wild Life Service has been contacted.. He said a draft basis of design report has been submitted to the New York State Department of Health, and there has been a meeting held with them to discuss the report. He said they are starting to develop the Water Treatment Plant Construction documents including site work process and mechanical drawings. Subsurface investigations, and survey and geo-technical investigations for the raw water intake and pump station are continuing. The raw water pump station architectural concept is being developed to coordinate with the New York State Office of Parks Recreation and Historic Preservation. Change in Site Plan: Supervisor Klein explained that the change was to eliminate having to pump water up an embankment 70 to 90 feet and then through a long pipe to the Water Treatment Plant because this new site is more level. The change is possible because New York State recently purchased a lot of land along the Hudson on the Saratoga County side to be connected to the Moreau State Park which is controlled by NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. The County is making progress toward obtaining the easement along this property, which would reduce operating and maintenance costs of pumping the water from the Hudson to the WTP. There are many meetings scheduled with a lot of agencies including the Saratoga County Sewer District because a lot of the Sewer District’s Right of Ways are going to be used to lay the pipe to transport the water through the center of the county. Supervisor Klein said that the NYS Department of Corrections has met with County officials because they are interested in becoming a water customer. There will be several meetings with the NY State Department of Transportation and the Saratoga County Highway Department because the path of the pipe follows roadways and in some instances actually is in some State Highways. He said the running of the pipe requires the County to obtain over 70 permanent and temporary easements and this acquisition process is progressing. Supervisor Klein said that the County Board of Supervisors passed Resolution #78 authorizing the hiring of law firm Lemery and Chrysler of Saratoga Springs as legal counsel for environmental reviews for the County water project at $165 per hour. Supervisor Klein announced that the Supervisors also authorized the County to enter into a contract with the Saratoga Rowing Association (SRA) for the purchase of equipment for a racing shell race course and buoy system for a multi-lane racing course at a cost not to exceed $11,000 because the SRA will host the National competition in 2006 on Fish Creek. He said the County supported this because the competition would enhance economic development with an estimated economic impact of 1.3 to 1.5 million dollars. Commissioner McCabe said that it is a great opportunity for the City and the County to host this event, particularly on Memorial Day weekend, which is usually a slow weekend for City businesses. Supervisor Scirocco said that the County contributed $12,000 toward the SRA’s new docks and boathouse last year. Mayor Lenz said it is an honor for the SRA to be selected as a host for this event and it is great that the County has helped them upgrade their boathouse, docks and racing course to enable them have the facilities to host the Nationals.. Supervisor Scirocco said that The Saratoga County Department of Public Health renewed a five-year contract with the NY Department of Health to continue to operate the Childhood Lead Poisoning program, and the County has received a $35,000 grant to underwrite the program that began in 1989 11 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, April 19, 2005 and provide lead testing for children that do not have health insurance. He explained that lab results are monitored and the program provides education and if needed it will fund the cost of investigating homes for causes of high lead levels in children. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD Mayor Lenz opened the public comment period. Kyle York of 59 Railroad Place referred to a revised map of the layout of the water pipe for the County Water Plan and indicated an overlook over the Sherman Falls Dam, and said that the area was deemed in 1988 to be contaminated with PCB’s and in 1995 Niagara Mohawk removed a lot of silt in an effort to clean up the area but the river bottom sediment is most likely still contaminated and it seems that no one remembers this clean-up effort or the situation. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Michael Lenz moved and Commissioner Thomas Curley seconded to adjourn the meeting at 8:45 p.m. Ayes all. Respectfully submitted, Nancy Wagner Clerk Approved: 12