City Council

City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, January 1, 2008 CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS CITY COUNCIL MEETING CITY COUNCIL ROOM TUESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2008 12:00 P.M. PRESENT: Scott Johnson, Mayor Commissioner John Franck, Accounts Commissioner Ken Ivins, Finance Commissioner Ron Kim, DPS Commissioner Anthony Scirocco, DPW PRESENT: Supervisor Matthew Veitch Supervisor Joanne Yepsen STAFF PRESENT: Michele Boxley, Deputy Commissioner, Accounts Patrick Design, Deputy Commissioner, DPW Eileen Finneran, Deputy Commissioner, DPS Kate Jarosh, Deputy Commissioner, Finance Shauna Sutton, Deputy Mayor SWEARING IN CEREMONY Matthew Dorsey, master of ceremonies, welcomed everyone to the swearing in of the new Council members and the first Council meeting of the year. The City of Saratoga Springs was incorporated in 1915 and this is the 47th Council to be sworn in. He said this was democracy at its best with a peaceful transition of power. He then quoted Thomas Jefferson, “Let us, then, fellow citizens, unite with one heart and one mind. Let us restore to social intercourse that harmony and affection without which liberty and even life itself are but dreary things.” Matthew Dorsey acknowledged former members of the Council in the audience -- Michael Lenz, J. Michael O’Connell, A.C. Riley, Kenneth Klotz and Valerie Keehn. He also recognized Assemblyman Roy McDonald. Assemblyman Roy McDonald thanked the City for inviting him to this ceremony. He thanked the incoming officials for their time and dedication in running for their respective offices and wished them well. He said that Saratoga Springs is a great City and he was proud to represent this community. He said that he was ready to assist the new Council members in any way that he could. He also thanked the outgoing Council members for their years of service. Judge Douglas Mills said he was glad to see everyone on this day. He said it was an honor and a privilege to swear in the next City Council members. He then invited the newly elected officials forward to offer the Oaths of Office. He then swore in Joanne Yepsen, Supervisor; Matthew Veitch, Supervisor, Scott Johnson, Mayor; Ken Ivins, Commissioner of Finance; Anthony Scirocco, Commissioner of Public Works; Ron Kim, Commissioner of Public Safety and John Franck, Commissioner of Accounts. Matthew Dorsey also thanked Sunnyside Gardens, Class A Catering Rental, Saratoga Spring Water and Stewarts for their donations today for the inauguration ceremony. 1 of 4 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, January 1, 2008 CALL TO ORDER Mayor Scott Johnson called the meeting to order with the Pledge of Allegiance. MAYOR’S DEPARTMENT Remarks Mayor Scott Johnson thanked the community for the overwhelming response during the recent elections and it was now time to build on that momentum. He thanked outgoing Council members for their years of services. He thanked his family for their support during the campaign. Mayor Scott Johnson said he was humbled and honored to be the new Mayor of the City of Saratoga Springs. He said he had the utmost respect for this position and was proud to be the new Mayor. The City is facing many fiscal challenges – most importantly the racing industry. He said he had been in constant contact with Senator Bruno on this matter and Saratogians should remain confident that there will be resolution on this matter. He said he had a meeting scheduled for tomorrow with Senator Bruno on this matter and he remained confident that there will be racing in Saratoga Springs this summer. Preservation of the track is also of great importance and he felt assured that the track would be protected. Mayor Scott Johnson said he did not view the election as a mandate for change but rather it was an opportunity to bring the City and the Council closer together to achieve common goals. He said cooperation was a key component to achieve the City’s goals. He said that life is a series of opportunities and this was his opportunity to serve the City. There needs to be a balance between growth and preservation. Again, he thanked everyone for their support and said he would continue to rely on those individuals. Appointments 08-01 Scott Johnson then announced the appointment of the following individuals: Shauna Sutton as the Deputy Mayor; Joe Scala as the City Attorney; Tony Izzo as the Assistant City Attorney and Therese Connolly as the Executive Assistant to the Mayor. ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENT Remarks Commissioner John Franck said that he looked forward to another two years and working with this new Council. He said while the Council had three republicans and two democrats he viewed the Council members as Saratogians first. He wished the outgoing Council members well. Appointments 08-02 Commissioner John Franck then announced the appointment of Michele McGraw-Boxley as the Deputy Commissioner of Accounts. FINANCE DEPARTMENT Remarks Commissioner Ken Ivins thanked everyone who supported him during the recent elections. He said it was an honor to serve as the next Commissioner of Finance. He planned to review the budget, prioritize the City’s needs and explore the latest technological advances that might be 2 of 4 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, January 1, 2008 good for the City. He said former Commissioner Matthew McCabe had done a good job for the City, but he had some concerns with the budget. He hoped that the Council members would work together to achieve the common goals for the City. He said he planned to tour the police department facility tomorrow. He would also look at cost cutting measures. The 8 percent tax increase was okay with some individuals while it is very difficult for others. He said he could not promise that taxes would not go up, but he would promise that any increases would be justified. He is a business man not a politician and his decisions will be based on the best interests of the City. Appointments 08-03 Commissioner Ken Ivins then announced the appointment of Kate Jarosh as the Deputy Commissioner of Finance. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS Remarks Commissioner Anthony Scirocco thanked everyone who helped him during the recent campaign. He said the residents simply wanted a change. While some see it as a burdon to run for office, others see it as an opportunity to serve the City. He said the Council needs to remember what makes this City special. He said he promised to promote civility among Council members and he looked forward to working with this Council. Appointments 08-04 Commissioner Anthony Scirocco then announced the appointment of Patrick Design as the Deputy Commissioner of DPW. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY Remarks Commissioner Ron Kim said his grandmother emigrated from Italy in the 1930s, moving to Schenectady where she started a small farm. He said each year family members would gather to reap the harvest. He said the lesson he learned from that was that the only way to harvest the bounty in a short period of time was for all family members to work together. He hoped that the Council would together on issues that were good for the City. He was glad that the new Mayor was working with Senator Bruno on the racing matter and he offered any assistance that he could. He looked forward to working with the new Council members. Appointments 08-05 Commissioner Ron Kim then announced the appointment of Eileen Finneran as the Deputy Commissioner of Public Safety. SUPERVISORS Joanne Yepsen Supervisor Joanne Yepsen said she would be sworn in at the County on January 3. She thanked the voters for their support during the recent elections. She said while all Council members and Supervisors come from different walks of life, they were all united in their love for the City. She suggested that the Council have a fresh start on the important issues. She reminded everyone of the Skidmore students poll after the recent election where it was noted that civility was the 3 of 4 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, January 1, 2008 decisive issue in the last election. She agreed that preservation of the City and the race course were critical issues. The leaders of this community must rise to the occasion on the racing issue. The state representative should not be allowed to play political roulette on the racing matter. Other initiatives such as environmentally friendly programs/projects and innovative technology need to be pursued. She pledged to be a strong voice at the County Board of Supervisors on behalf of the City and would work to consensus on matters. She also planned to remain accessible to residents. Matthew Veitch Supervisor Matthew Veitch thanked everyone for supporting him and for coming today. He said it was an honor to represent the community. He looked forward to working with the Council on achieving the common goals for the City. He also looked forward to working with Joanne Yepsen and representing the City at the County Board of Supervisors. He said he was proud to be part of this community. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD Mayor Scott Johnson opened the public comment period. There being no one wishing to speak, Mayor Scott Johnson closed the public comment period. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Mayor Scott Johnson adjourned the meeting at 1:10 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Kathy Moran Clerk Approved: 4 of 4