City Council

City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Wednesday, January 3, 2007 CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS CITY COUNCIL MEETING CITY COUNCIL ROOM WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2007 6:15 P.M. PRESENT : Valerie Keehn, Mayor Commissioner John Franck, Accounts Commissioner Ron Kim, DPS Commissioner Matthew McCabe, Finance Commissioner Thomas McTygue, DPW SUPERVISORS: Cheryl Keyrouze Joanne Yepsen STAFF PRESENT : Lynn Bachner, Deputy Commissioner, Finance Michele Boxley, Deputy Commissioner, Accounts Patrick Design, Deputy Commissioner, DPW Frank Dudla, Deputy Commissioner, DPS Eileen Finneran, Deputy Mayor Michael Englert, City Attorney Tony Izzo, Assistant City Attorney CALL TO ORDER Mayor Valerie Keehn called the meeting to order at 6:15 p.m. EXECUTIVE SESSION Council members adjourned to executive session at 6:15 p.m. to discuss legal matters/firefighters contract. Ayes all. Council members returned at 6:35 p.m. and reported that no action was taken. PUBLIC HEARING Mayor Valerie Keehn said this is a proposed local law providing for the administration and enforcement of the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code. She said that except as otherwise provided in the Uniform Code, all buildings, structures and premises, regardless of use or occupancy are subject to the provisions of this law. Commissioner Ron Kim said this is a state mandate. The City will be required to inspect any structure that holds public assemblies every 12 months, dormitories every 12 months and multi-family dwellings every 36 months. This ordinance does not establish fees or who will do the inspections. The first step in this process is to develop an inventory. Much of the information is already available in the City but in various locations. Once the inventory is established, they will have a better idea of what are the residential uses and how to meet those needs. He also noted that there was one correction to the ordinance on page 12, Section 11, A.3. – the bracketed sentence should be removed. Commissioner Thomas McTygue asked if this was mandated, why was the Council voting on the matter. Commissioner Ron Kim said it was being added to the City’s code so that there will be enforcement ability. Commissioner Thomas McTygue said the code enforcement officers’ hours were recently increased to 40 and he thought their hours were increased because this work was added to their positions. Commissioner Ron Kim said that until the inventory is completed, they are not sure how much is involved. It could be more than two can handle. He also noted that there was a misprint in the newspaper in that it will not be the police department enforcing this ordinance. 1 of 11 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Wednesday, January 3, 2007 Commissioner Matthew McCabe noted that there is three years to comply. He said the enforcement and legal action section needed to be clearer, specifically, will the code enforcement officers or whoever is doing this work, have the ability to act independently in filing law suits and other such legal actions. Tony Izzo said there are several enforcement devices available to the individuals who will enforce this code, however, there will still be Council involvement. Tony Izzo pointed out that much of what is included in this ordinance is already within the code book, just in several locations. He said this code would supersede those codes if there is a conflict. Those codes will need to be updated and/or repealed. Mayor Valerie Keehn opened the public hearing. Commissioner Thomas McTygue asked about the legal notice. Tony Izzo said it was advertised appropriately. Commissioner Thomas McTygue said that generally speaking, people do not read legal ads. He said it is frustrating that there is another unfunded mandate from the state. He said perhaps there could be some stories in the newspapers on this matter so that property owners are aware of what is coming. He said he was lead to believe that code enforcement would be doing this work and was now concerned that the DPS could be looking for additional staff. He said he believed it could be done with existing staff. Commissioner Ron Kim said at this time it was not possible for him to determine if existing staff could handle this work. The entire matter needs to be reviewed first. Commissioner Ron Kim said that he would be happy to keep the public hearing open to the next meeting if the Council so desired. Commissioner Matthew McCabe said he had some concerns on the ordinance that he would submit to DPS in the next week. It was agreed the public hearing would be continued to the next meeting. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Valerie Keehn called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. MOMENT OF SILENCE IN RECOGNITION OF THE PASSING O F PRESIDENT GERALD FORD Mayor Valerie Keehn asked for a moment of silence in recognition of the recent passing of President Gerald Ford. IN MEMORIAM: MAYOR ELLSWORTH JONES Mayor Valerie Keehn said that Ellsworth J. Jones, former Mayor of the City of Saratoga Springs, passed away last Sunday, December 31, 2006. She said he served the City for five terms which marked a period of change and growth in the City. He was a great advocate for the construction of the City Center. He will be remembered for his leadership. The City Center is his legacy. He was very interested in the downtown and its ability to attract and keep new businesses. He was a local business man. He had great compassion for those at the lower end of the economic scale and was instrumental in establishing the Franklin Community Center. He served in the 101st airborne and parachuted on D-Day. He made great efforts to be accessible and responsive. He was modest about his public service. His decade in office is the second longest tenure. This Council recognizes the many good works and achievements of Ellsworth Jones and extends its sympathy to his family and friends. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD Mayor Valerie Keehn opened the public comment period. John Kraus, 227 Grand Avenue, read a poem on the City’s successes and failures over the past year. Jean Cody, Railroad Place, said she was very concerned with the potential loss of the Lillian’s parking lot. She said the lot is used by many and it would be a great inconvenience to handicapped individuals. She then submitted a petition with about 50 signatures. She asked that the Council maintain this lot for public parking. 2 of 11 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Wednesday, January 3, 2007 Pat Guarnieri, 131 Lake Avenue, said many handicapped and elderly individuals use this lot and she asked that Council members consider maintaining the lot. Dave Bronner, 5 Royal Henley Court, said that although he never met Ellsworth Jones, he must have been a great man. He then asked for a correction to the statements made at the last meeting. He was accused of stalking residents and employees. He said he is not stalking anyone. He just happened to see the clear cutting taking place along Weibel Avenue and asked a City employee what was happening. The employee said he did not know, they were simply instructed to cut. He said the next day he saw a City truck dumping material at this site. He then followed the truck to Pallette Stone, waited and then followed the truck back to the City garage where it pulled inside. He asked if the City was picking up material at Pallette Stone and dumping it at Weibel Avenue. He again noted that Commissioner Thomas McTygue does not live in the City and the Council should craft a resolution to declare the position vacated because the incumbent does not live in the City. Mark Lawton, Concerned Citizens for the Implementation of the Charter, said the annual independent audit should include a management letter that addresses charter implementation and the financial impact to the City on that implementation. He said the City Attorney should be reporting to the Council on the progress of legal matters. He said before employee contracts are adopted, the cost of implementation needs to be brought forth. Mayor Valerie Keehn asked Mark Lawton if the Concerned Citizens for the Implementation of the Charter Committee, is still meeting and when and where are the meetings. Mark Lawton said they continue to meet and they will be making public reports periodically. Mayor Valerie Keehn said the contract negotiations are just beginning and due to the confidential nature of the negotiations, there is nothing to report at this time. Mark Lawton said the numbers need to be integrated into the budget though. Commissioner Thomas McTygue said that it is unfortunate that David Bronner makes statements that may lead people to believe that the City is doing illegal dumping. He said the truck went to Pallette Stone to pick up cold patch which is then stored in the city garage overnight. If David Bronner wanted to know what was going on, he simply needed to call and ask. He also said there had been a ruling by the courts on the residency matter. A general uproar of the audience and some Council members ensued. Mayor Valerie Keehn recessed the meeting at 7:25 p.m. in hopes of bringing some decorum back to the meeting. The meeting was resumed at 7:28 p.m. Mayor Valerie Keehn said she started this meeting by recognizing and remembering a wonderful former Mayor. She was now embarrassed by the behavior of attendees and asked that the audience refrain from making comments. She asked that Council members conduct themselves professionally and with high regard for the office that they hold. Commissioner Thomas McTygue suggested that there be a Sergeant at Arms at the meeting. He also reminded the Mayor that there is a Code of Conduct that should be followed and enforced. Mayor Valerie Keehn said she would review the code of conduct. However, she noted that Council members should not be engaging in arguments with the public. Commissioner Thomas McTygue said that under the Code of Conduct rules, Council members have the ability to address matters that the public bring forth – especially false statements. Phil Diamond suggested that when a member of the public attacks an individual member of the Council, that the member of the public be gaveled and asked to sit down. Mayor Valerie Keehn closed the public comment period. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS Water Project 3 of 11 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Wednesday, January 3, 2007 Doug Ward, attorney representing the City, said the City has made a good amount of progress on the archaeological study. The City has made application to the Court to get access to the Spencer property and the Homeowners Association property for the archaeological and engineering studies. The Court has granted access to the HOA parcel, but wanted more information on the Spencer parcel due to title issues. To date, there have been 13 holes bored for soil testing and it will be completed tomorrow. Under the archaeological study, one of the issues is the determination of the shore line and where they expect to find artifacts. They have dug four trenches and it appears that the shore line is further back to the west and may be located on the Spencer property. They will need to do additional trenching on the Spencer property once they have access. Shovel test pits will also be done. They are waiting to do the archaeological work until they have access to the Spencer parcel so that the work can be done all at the same time. Doug Ward said that while the City has the right to go on to the Spencer parcel, the City has decided to give them their due process and has made application to the courts for access. He said there is an issue with the title on the Spencer parcel, so the City is doing a title search. He said there is also a road for the county sewer access and an old abandoned railroad right of way. Doug Ward said both the engineer and archaeological studies are independent of the appeals process. The courts have found that proceeding on the archaeological and engineering studies simultaneously with the appeals process was an appropriate way to go. By completing the studies, the City is fulfilling a condition that was imposed on the City through the SEQR process. Commissioner Thomas McTygue thanked Doug Ward for the presentation. CONSENT AGENDA Mayor Valerie Keehn moved and Commissioner Ron Kim seconded to approve the consent agenda as follows: 1. Approval of Minutes: December 20 & 29, 2006 2. Appointment of Commissioners of Deeds: Meghan Ennis, Lloyd Davis, Shane Crooks and Daniel Mullan, Jr. 3. Approval Payrolls: 12/22/06 $357,569.14 12/29/06 $379,331.31 12/31/06 $ 85,648.31 4. Approve Warrants: Mid MC2DEC06 $ 54,816.10 General 3DEC06 $451,612.17 Ayes all. SUPERIVISORS - Joanne Yepsen Mayor Valerie Keehn read a prepared statement from Joanne Yepsen. In that statement she said noted that Joanne Yepsen was in Washington, D.C., for the Kristen Gillibrand inauguration. The County met today and Supervisor Phillip Barrett from Clifton Park became the chair of the Board of Supervisors. Priorities of the Board this year include public safety, the radio communications system, and 911 enhancements. There will be consideration of a new local law concerning sex offenders. This is the third year in a row that the County has decreased its taxes. The County will make improvements to its web site. There will be a new technology committee. Land protection and implementation of the green infrastructure is a priority. Her new committee assignments include racing, public health and DPW. MAYOR’S DEPARTMENT ZBA Appointment (07-01) Mayor Valerie Keehn announced the appointment of Pell Kennedy as a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals. 4 of 11 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Wednesday, January 3, 2007 Mayor Valerie Keehn said that Amanda Hiller, who was recently appointed to the DRC will be stepping down. She was recently appointed by Governor Elliot Spitzer to serve on the council which focuses on local government matters. Extension of Moratorium on Adult Uses – Set Public Hearing Mayor Valerie Keehn said the Council has received a request from the Planning Board for a three month extension of the current moratorium on adult uses. The Planning Board is nearly finished with its work on developing new amendments to the zoning ordinance to control adult uses and they just need a few months to complete their set of recommendations. The City Attorney has prepared a draft local law that would extend the current moratorium from January 31, 2007, to April 30, 2007. A public hearing on this local law was set for 6:55 p.m. on January 16, 2007 Moratorium on Saratoga Lake Area Development Permits without County Sewer Connection Mayor Valerie Keehn said last month the Council received a letter from the Saratoga Springs Planning Board that recommended the City Council consider adopting a moratorium that would, over the next three years, prohibit any of the City development boards or departments from granting any approval for development near Saratoga Lake that did not connect to the County sewer system. As a result of the discussion at the December 19, 2006, Council meeting, it was agreed that the City Attorney would draft the necessary legislation for this moratorium for the Council’s review. A copy of that draft legislation has been distributed to the Council. The City Council needs to decide if it will accept this draft legislation for study and forward it to the City and County Planning Boards for the required advisory opinion. Commissioner Matthew McCabe clarified this was for new construction. He said there needs to be some discussion to find out what the County’s criteria is to connect to the county system. They have sole discretion over who can connect to the county sewer system, therefore, they would be holding all of the cards. Mayor Valerie Keehn said she had met with the County Sewer Commissioners. She said it was not their intent to penalize existing homeowners. In an emergency, existing homeowners could have the ability to connect to the system. It is the County’s intent that only homes in an emergency situation would be allowed to connect. Commissioner Ron Kim asked how this particular area was selected and how the lines were drawn. Mayor Valerie Keehn said there is a moratorium in this area for connecting to the county sewer system until they redo their infrastructure in this area. She said this particular section of the City relies on the County system and not the City. Geoff Bornemann, City Planner, said it was not an exact science in drawing the boundary lines. He said it was drawn for an area that they reasonably believed the County could expand the county system with projected growth. He said outside of the proposed boundary lines, they don’t believe that the county would expand the sewer system. He said it was an educated guess. Commissioner Ron Kim asked if this was just for residential use. Geoff Bornemann said it was for any use. There are a few commercial uses in this area. Therefore, Mayor Valerie Keehn moved and Commissioner Ron Kim seconded to accept the moratorium legislation for study and to send it to the City and the County Planning Boards for an advisory opinion. Ayes all. A public hearing was also set on this moratorium legislation for 6:30 p.m. on February 20, 2007. Blue Wing Services – Telecommunication Services to ZBA Mayor Valerie Keehn said the Council approved a contract with Blue Wing Services for telecommunications work at the November 17 meeting. They will assist the City in a use variance application with National Grid for a telecommunications facility on Weibel Avenue. Since that time, there have been two more use variance applications at 84 Weibel Avenue and 470 Route 50. For consistency among the applications, they are requesting that Blue Wing Services be used in these two additional applications. Therefore, Mayor Valerie Keehn moved and Commissioner Ron Kim seconded to waive the bid and approve the contract with Blue Wing Services in connection with the two use variance applications at 84 Weibel Avenue and 470 Route 50 at hourly rate of $150 not to exceed $15,000 each. The funds are in an escrow account paid for by the applicant. Ayes all. 5 of 11 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Wednesday, January 3, 2007 Miller, Mannix, Schachner & Hafner, LLC 2007 Services to the Planning Board Mayor Valerie Keehn withdrew this item from discussion. Subdivision Regulation Amendment for Waiver of Curbs and Sidewalks Mayor Valerie Keehn said the Council has received a request from the Planning Board to amend the Subdivision Regulations to give the Planning Board some flexibility in granting waivers of curbs and sidewalks in small subdivisions in existing neighborhoods. The Planning Board has recently had numerous requests from existing neighbors who oppose sidewalks and curbs for small subdivisions in existing neighborhoods. The City Council needs to decide if it will accept this proposal for study and forward it to the County Planning Board for the required referral. Therefore, Mayor Valerie Keehn moved and Commissioner Ron Kim seconded to accept this proposed amendment to the Subdivision Regulations for study and to send it to the County Planning Board for the required referral. Commissioner Thomas McTygue said there have been a number of requests in recent years to waive curbs and sidewalks and his department has concerns. Curbs and sidewalks help with drainage. Geoff Bornemann said every application that appears before the Planning Board is sent to both DPW and DPS. Commissioner Thomas McTygue agreed but said it wasn’t the same as having someone on the board. His department has fought for years to have curbs and sidewalks installed and now the Planning Board wants to waive them. He wanted to know the specific areas. Geoff Bornemann said sometimes at the meetings the neighbors come in expressing their concerns on installing curbs and sidewalks in the existing neighborhoods. He said that currently the Planning Board can waive curbs and sidewalks due to unique topographic conditions and/or unusual safety hazards. The Planning Board is seeking the authority to waive curbs and sidewalks in existing subdivisions due to the specific nature of the character of those communities. Commissioner Thomas McTygue said that previously the City has asked for ditches in some subdivision. Those ditches help with the drainage. Homeowners then get tired of the ditches and then fill them in. Geoff Bornemann said that ditches are generally only in the two acre subdivisions. These waivers would be for the more intense smaller neighborhoods. In some cases, new sidewalks in existing neighborhoods are out of character. Commissioner Ron Kim said that right of ways and sidewalks are connected. He said sidewalks and curbs help to define the right of way. Pedestrian use needs to be encouraged. He too would like to know the specific neighborhoods. Making exceptions is a slippery slope. Geyser Crest is a subdivision with issues on sidewalks and curbs and parking in the right of way. He was concerned giving this discretion to the Planning Board. Mayor Valerie Keehn said this was for small subdivisions. The Planning Board would like to be able to respond to the residents’ concerns. Commissioner John Franck said that without sidewalks and curbs the liability is transferred back to the City and he would not support this request. He said that without the sidewalks and curbs it was harder to define the right of way. Commissioner Ron Kim agreed with the sidewalks and curbs the right of way is better defined. He said that it was easier to determine when a tree or shrub is planted in the right of way if there is a sidewalk. Ayes all. A public hearing was set for this amendment for 6:55 p.m. on February 20 Indoor Recreation Center Construction Schedule Mayor Valerie Keehn said there was a proposed schedule distributed for the indoor recreation use facility. She reviewed the schedule as follows: January 16, coordinated SEQR review establishing the City as lead agency, after January 16 establish an intradepartmental committee to prepare the RFP for facility design. Award the design contract by February 20, by the beginning of April final design and approvals by the boards, by June 15 preparation of bid documents, August 4 award of construction bids and construction completed by February 1, 2008. 6 of 11 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Wednesday, January 3, 2007 Commissioner Thomas McTygue asked for a copy of this time line. Commissioner Matthew McCabe said there were funds set aside in the capital budget for design and construction. To date, about $33,100 had been expended on the feasibility study. ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENT Systems Summit Commissioner John Franck announced that a systems summit would take place in mid February at City Hall. Current systems providers including Munis, Complus Data Innovations, RPS, OARS, BASF, General Codes and Xonitek Systems will be invited to discuss the current systems that the City uses and our needs moving forward. His goal was to create a comprehensive systems plan to better serve the needs of the City. He said two weeks prior to the summit he would ask each department to submit a “wish list” of operations-related technology that ideally they would like to have, the agenda for the summit will then be created from that list. Commissioner Matthew McCabe said this is a good example of cooperation among the departments. He applauded the summit approach. This was a good way to determine the City’s resources and what has not been tapped into. Commissioner John Franck said it has been noted that the City’s permit process was slow. The City has many software programs that are underutilized and this could assist in identifying ways to improve the process. He was looking at an agenda manager program. Commissioner Ron Kim said he is looking at a building inventory program. Commissioner Ron Kim asked if there was a document available that shows the capabilities of the software programs. Commissioner John Franck said he was not aware of such a document. Commissioner Matthew McCabe said it could be developed. Commissioner John Franck said there are many software programs in the City, but the uses of those programs needs to be explored. Mayor Valerie Keehn asked who would be part of this summit. Commissioner John Franck said each department would be asked to send someone. He said it will be similar to a workshop. Discussion & Vote – Records Management Clerk (07-02) Commissioner John Franck moved and Commissioner Ron Kim seconded to add to the Council agenda – Discussion & Vote: Records Management Clerk. He said at the December 19, 2006, Council meeting, the position of Map Scanner was discussed and approved at $12/hour. Since that time, the position has been classified as a “Records Management Clerk ” and not a Map Scanner. Ayes all. Commissioner John Franck moved and Mayor Valerie Keehn seconded to establish the title of Records Management Clerk (not Map Scanner) in the Accounts Department at $12/hour (the salary is the same as approved on 12/19/06) effective January 2, 2007. This position is entirely funded by the SARA grant for 35 hours per week through September 30, 2007. Commissioner Thomas McTygue moved and Commissioner John Franck seconded to amend the motion to include an increase in salaries of part time clerk positions from $10 to $12. Commissioner Thomas McTygue said these are individuals who perform extensive work on computers. They are also individuals who have been part time for the City for several years. This proposed increase should be handled within the department’s budgets. He has the funds in his budget to cover this proposal. It would be up to each department as to whether the rate was increased to $12/hour. If the department is satisfied with the work of the individual, the ability to increase the salary to $12/hour would now be available. Commissioner John Franck pointed out that his proposal for the Records Management Clerk is totally funded by the grant. Commissioner Matthew McCabe asked how many positions Commissioner Thomas McTygue was including in this amendment. Commissioner Thomas McTygue said he had one in his department. Commissioner Ron Kim said he was not aware if he had any positions in his department. Commissioner Matthew McCabe asked 7 of 11 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Wednesday, January 3, 2007 for clarification from the City Attorney as to whether the Council was allowed to set the rates after the budget process had been completed. Commissioner Matthew McCabe said he would not support this increase because he did not know what the budget impact would be. Commissioner Thomas McTygue said there was no budgetary impact. The budget would remain the same just the hourly rate would change. Commissioner Ron Kim clarified that Commissioner Thomas McTygue had one position. Commissioner Thomas McTygue said yes. Commissioner John Franck said the grant allows for the records management position to be paid $12/hour. The motion was brought back to the table because there was a title change. Commissioner Thomas McTygue said he reviewed minutes from the last City Council meeting whereby the Council made changes to salaries in the Recreation Department. He said there is no difference between that motion and the motion this evening. There is no budget impact. Commissioner Matthew McCabe clarified that the range of the salary was being extended to $12/hour. Commissioner Thomas McTygue said that presently the City can pay $10/hour. There is a new position being created that will be paid $12/hour. There are people working in City Hall for a number of years that are being paid $10/hour. He was now asking that the existing positions have the ability to be raised to $12/hour. Again he said there was no budget impact and he was not asking for additional funds. Commissioner Matthew McCabe asked for the exact title. Commissioner Thomas McTygue said he was not sure of the exact title, however, he believed it was a part time clerk or an account clerk. Commissioner Matthew McCabe clarified that he was asking to extend the range up to $12/hour. Commissioner Thomas McTygue said yes. Commissioner Matthew McCabe said this was for part time hourly people and asked how many hours per week do they work. Commissioner Thomas McTygue said it varies but could be up to 40 hours. Commissioner Matthew McCabe asked for the effective date. Commissioner Ron Kim said he would support the resolution because Commissioner Thomas McTygue said he would work within his budget. Commissioner Thomas McTygue asked that the Mayor call the vote. Mayor Valerie Keehn said she was not sure that this vote could be taken legally. Commissioner Thomas McTygue again stated that the Recreation Department employee hourly rates were changed at the last meeting. Commissioner Thomas McTygue called the question. Commissioner Matthew McCabe said he would not support this proposal. He said there were payroll implementation problems. Ayes: three (Commissioners John Franck, Thomas McTygue & Ron Kim); Nays: two (Mayor Valerie Keehn and Commissioner Matthew McCabe). Motion carried. Commissioner Thomas McTygue referenced the December 19 meeting minutes noting that the Recreation Department employee salaries were increased from $9.50 to $11.00/hour. He said the Council just did the same thing on December 19, but is now stating that the motion this evening is illegal. He said if tonight’s motion was illegal, then the December 19 motion was illegal. Commissioner Matthew McCabe said he was not sure that this motion was illegal but there is an issue with procedure. At the last meeting the salary range was approved and that raise fit the salary range which made it appropriate. Commissioner Matthew McCabe said this motion did pass this evening and his department would make the appropriate accommodations to process the raises as submitted. Mayor Valerie Keehn said she would get a memo out explaining the difference between the December 19 motion and tonight’s motion. FINANCE DEPARTMENT Woodlawn Avenue Parking 8 of 11 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Wednesday, January 3, 2007 Commissioner Matthew McCabe asked about the appraisal on the Lillian’s parking lot. Commissioner John Franck said it would be done within the next two weeks. Commissioner Matthew McCabe said the City needs to focus on the Woodlawn parking lot and develop an RFP for that lot. He said developers have made overtures on that lot. He suggested that an RFP be done for a private developer to construct only a parking deck on this lot with the caveat that at least one level remains free parking. He said if the City decides to sell Lillian’s parking lot, the money from that sale would be a one time revenue source that could be set aside and used an annuity to finance the maintenance of the existing decks. Commissioner Thomas McTygue asked what was the difference between going out to bid for this project and the Excelsior Springs culvert project. Neither was budgeted. Commissioner Matthew McCabe said the Woodlawn Avenue parking lot does not require any funding from the City. Commissioner Thomas McTygue said the Woodlawn Avenue parking lot was already bid a few years ago. Commissioner Matthew McCabe said this RFP would be for a parking structure only and no commercial/residential uses. Commissioner Thomas McTygue said Commissioner Matthew McCabe should develop the RFP if he is interested in advancing this proposal. Bill McTygue, Director, Utilities, reminded Council members that Joe Dalton, Chamber of Commerce, said he would return to the Council within the next couple of weeks with ideas relative to the parking spaces/structure on Woodlawn Avenue. He said while Commissioner Matthew McCabe’s idea for a parking structure at this location was a good idea, he was not sure there was a market for this type of project. It might work in the metropolitan areas but this was a smaller suburban area. He believed the combination of mixed uses was more viable. Commissioner John Franck agreed noting that the construction costs for parking only were quite costly. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS Water Project Previously discussed. Lillian’s Parking Lot Commissioner Thomas McTygue said he was waiting for Council members to submit names to him to keep the process moving along. He said there was another section of the parking lot in the southeast corner that the engineer suggested closing. Outdoor Ice Skating Commissioner Thomas McTygue said that there have been some comments in the newspaper concerning outdoor skating. He said that for a number of years, DPW has tried to have outdoor skating on Weibel, however, due to the warm weather it has not been possible. He said that it is costly to have DPW workers out at night hosing down the rinks only to have the rink melt. He said that if there were some volunteers out there who were interested, he would talk to them. He also noted that many people simply like to use the indoor rinks now. Southeast Drainage Commissioner Thomas McTygue said that for years he has been trying to put money in the budget for the southeast section of the City drainage problems. He said that it is the area bounded by Frank Sullivan Parkway & Nelson Avenue on the east, Crescent Street on the south, Vanderbilt Avenue on the west and Lincoln Avenue on the north. He said they have tentative easements with the track to go from Union Avenue through the track parking lot to get to Lincoln Avenue. They have some funding available now to design a system in this area. There are some drywells, however, there is a high water table. This is a project that is continuing to move along though. He said they recently completed major improvements near the hospital. Mid-State Contract for Roof Repairs on the Arts Council 9 of 11 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Wednesday, January 3, 2007 Commissioner Thomas McTygue moved and Mayor Valerie Keehn seconded to authorize the mayor to sign the contract for Mid-State for the Saratoga Arts Council roof repairs in the amount of $34,811. The money is in the capital budget. Ayes all. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY Local Law #1 of 2007 – Administration and Enforcement of Codes Commissioner Ron Kim said that this would be held open to the next meeting. Walpole Contract for Care of Police Horse Commissioner Ron Kim said there needs to be care of the police horses. The Walpole family have agreed to donate the space for stabling of the horse. However, there is a fee of $25/per day for care of the horse. Commissioner Thomas McTygue said that $25 per day was a lot of money for care of a horse. He boards horses for $14/day. Commissioner Ron Kim said the advantage of stabling the horse at the Walpole location was that it was closer to the City and the horse would be used more often. Commissioner Matthew McCabe said there was a built in cancellation clause with the contract of 30 days. This would establish the daily rate. He asked what was the effective date and whether it was retroactive. Commissioner Ron Kim said the horse is currently being stabled at the Walpole location. The $25 is for the care, grooming and feeding, not for stabling. Officer Chowske, said the City owns the trailer to move the horse. Commissioner John Franck said he owns a horse that costs him about $240/month for stabling. He said this $25 per day would amount to nearly $800/month. Commissioner Thomas McTygue said $25/day was too high. Commissioner Matthew McCabe asked if this needed to be addressed immediately. It was agreed to get some new numbers and bring this back to another meeting. Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) (07-03) Commissioner Ron Kim moved and Commissioner John Franck seconded to approve the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) grant in the amount of $14,500. Commissioner Ron Kim said this is for the high accident areas such as Route 50. It is state funding to enforce the traffic laws in that corridor. The budget amendment will be brought forth soon. Ayes all. Labor Attorney Contract Commissioner Ron Kim withdrew this item from discussion. SUPERVISORS Cheryl Keyrouze STEP Grant: Cheryl Keyrouze asked where the funding came from for this grant. Officer Chowske said it was from the Governors Traffic Safety Committee. NYS Association of County Legislators: They will meet January 29-31. She noted that she had been appointed to their Legislative Standing Committee. Committees: She noted that she had been appointed to several County committees including the social programs and legislative. 10 of 11 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Wednesday, January 3, 2007 Planning Board Conference: She announced that the County sponsored Planning Board conference would be held at the City Center on January 24. The deadline to sign up is January 15. Joanne Yepsen Previously done. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD Mayor Valerie Keehn opened the second public comment period. Mark Lawton said that adding items to the Council agenda requires a special process that has not been followed. He said the Accounts Department is responsible for inventories in the City and if there is no inventory for software then the City cannot buy new software. Budget amendments are necessary in order to maintain a balanced budget. The Council needs an improved financial and personnel system so that salaries are not being set arbitrarily at the Council table. There needs to be a centralized personnel system. Commissioner John Franck said there is an inventory on the software programs. They are simply reviewing the software programs for their capabilities. There being no one else wishing to speak, Mayor Valerie Keehn closed the public comment period. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Valerie Keehn moved and Commissioner Ron Kim seconded to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 p.m. Ayes all. There being no further business, Mayor Valerie Keehn adjourned the meeting at p.m. Respectfully submitted, Kathy Moran Clerk Approved: 11 of 11