City Council

City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, June 13, 2006 CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS CITY COUNCIL MEETING CITY COUNCIL ROOM TUESDAY, JUNE 13, 2006 12:00 P.M. PRESENT: Valerie Keehn, Mayor Commissioner John Franck, Accounts Commissioner Ron Kim, DPS Commissioner Matthew McCabe, Finance Commissioner Thomas McTygue, DPW (departed at 1:00 p.m.) ABSENT: Cheryl Keyrouse, Supervisor Joanne Yepsen, Supervisor OTHERS: Lynn Bachner, Deputy Commissioner, Finance Michele Boxley, Deputy Commissioner, Accounts Eileen Finneran, Deputy Mayor Michael Englert, City Attorney Call to order Mayor Valerie Keehn called the meeting to order at 12:00 p.m. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD Bonnie Sellers, 69 Hyde Street, relayed a story about a friend who visited Stonequist Apartments frequently. That friend told her that most of the time the halls smelled of food, the elevators smelled of smoke and the stairwells smelled of urine. She said Stonequist does not follow the rules and she could not understand how the Council would allow them to expand when they don’t manage their existing problems. There are some good people living at Stonequist but there are problems at this facility. She said the kinds of people being allowed to live at Stonequist are bringing problems to the community. This is a tourist community. Isabella Barrios, Stonequist Apartment Tenants Association representative, said there are problems in this building. Their concern about the proposed housing project is that they may loose their picnic and gazebo area. Residents at Stonequist would rather see workforce housing spread throughout the City and not at this one location. She said it seemed as though City Hall had forgotten about them. Remigia Foy said Stonequist was constructed for Saratogians who were displaced by urban renewal. She said it is the policy of the SSHA Board of Directors that has changed. That new policy allows individuals other than seniors to live at this building. Some of the individuals who are allowed to live there do not fit in with the seniors. She said individuals with medical problems, i.e., alcoholism are now being allowed to live there and some of them need supervision. The SSHA Board of Directors changed their policy in order to balance their budget. The seniors living there need to feel secure and they don’t with these other types of individuals who are allowed to live there. There being no one else wishing to speak, Mayor Valerie Keehn closed the public comment period. 1 of 3 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, June 13, 2006 MAYOR’S OFFICE Housing Authority Mayor Valerie Keehn reminded Council members that the Council’s authority over the Saratoga Springs Housing Authority is somewhat limited. She said she has been attending their meetings and has been in regular contact with SSHA staff and Board members. She has been made aware of the concerns of the residents through conversations with the staff, Board members and residents. At this time the SSHA is completing their evaluation of the SSHA Executive Director. Commissioner Thomas McTygue suggested that Council members attend their meetings and offer suggestions/recommendations. He said that perhaps the City could assist the SSHA in some fashion. There needs to be some discussion on the type of residents that are being brought into the housing authority. Commissioner John Franck asked if there were policies/decisions done annually on the type of residents that are allowed to live at the housing authority. Mayor Valerie Keehn said it was her understanding that resident qualifications are done on a case by case basis and is based on need and ability to pay. Commissioner John Franck said there should be some discussions on the subsidies as they pertain to the type of residents that live at the housing authority. Mayor Valerie Keehn encouraged Council members to talk to the SSHA staff, residents and Board of Directors and she also encouraged them to attend one of their meetings. ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENT Nothing at this time. EXECUTIVE SESSION Mayor Valerie Keehn moved and Commissioner Ron Kim seconded to adjourn to executive session at 12:20 p.m. to discuss contract negotiations. Council members returned at 1:30 p.m. and reported that no action was taken. Commissioner Thomas McTygue left at 1:00 p.m. FINANCE DEPARTMENT Sales Tax on Motor Fuel and Diesel Motor Fuel (06-95) Commissioner Matthew McCabe moved and Commissioner John Franck seconded that the Council take no action at this time on the resolution electing a cents per gallon rate of sales and compensating use taxes on motor fuel and diesel motor fuel in lieu of the percentage rate of such taxes. Commissioner Ron Kim asked if the County had taken action on this resolution. Commissioner Matthew McCabe said that the County is scheduled to address this matter at 5:00 p.m. today. Commissioner Matthew McCabe said if the City was to adopt this resolution, consumers would see some decrease at the pump, however, the savings gained now would likely be put back on the residents in the fall. Therefore, it is his recommendation that the Council not adopt this resolution at this time. He informed Council members that the City can revisit this issue quarterly. However, if the City wishes to revisit the issue in September, it would need to request a waiver within 90 days of September 1, which would be now. He said the City could lose as much as $300,000 in sales tax if the Council adopts this resolution. Mayor Valerie Keehn asked if the City was obligated to use the waiver once applied for. Deputy Commissioner Lynn Bachner said she was not sure, however, would check into that matter. 2 of 3 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, June 13, 2006 Commissioner John Franck noted that the County will also have the ability to adopt or not adopt this resolution today as well as to revisit the matter each quarter. Ayes all. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS Nothing at this time. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY Fire Administrators Contract No action. PBA Contract No action. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Valerie Keehn moved and Commissioner Matthew McCabe seconded to adjourn the meeting at 1:40 p.m. Ayes all. There being no further business, Mayor Valerie Keehn adjourned the meeting at 1:40 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Kathy Moran Clerk Approved: 3 of 3