City Council

August 28, 2009 CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS City Council Meeting Agenda Public Hearing for Capital Program/Budget 2010 - 2015 1:00 PM CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL SALUTE TO FLAG PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD / 15 MINUTES PRESENTATION(S) 1. DPW Capital Projects EXECUTIVE SESSION None CONSENT AGENDA None MAYOR’S DEPARTMENT None ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENT None FINANCE DEPARTMENT None PUBLIC WORKS DEPARMENT None PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARMTENT None SUPERVISORS ADJOURN City Council Meeting 8/28/09 CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS CITY COUNCIL MEETING CITY COUNCIL ROOM FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2009 1:00 P.M. PRESENT: Scott Johnson, Mayor Ken Ivins, Commissioner of Finance John Franck, Commissioner of Accounts Ron Kim, Commissioner of DPS Anthony Scirocco, Commissioner of DPW STAFF PRESENT: Kate Jarosh, Deputy Commissioner, Finance Michele Boxley, Deputy Commissioner, Accounts Eileen Finneran, Deputy Commissioner, DPS Patrick Design, Deputy Commissioner, DPW EXCUSED: Shauna Sutton, Deputy Mayor Joe Scala, City Attorney RECORDING OF PROCEEDING The proceedings of this meeting were taped for the benefit of the secretary. Because the minutes are not a verbatim record of the proceedings, the minutes are not a word-for-word transcript. PUBLIC HEARINGS Capital Program/Budget 2010 – 2015 Mayor Johnson opened the public hearing at 1:06 p.m. Commissioner Ivins stated there was a question at the last meeting regarding how the proposed capital budget would affect the tax rate. It is a little over $.05 per thousand; so a $200,000 home would pay an additional $10.77, a $300,000 home would pay an additional $16.15, and a $400,000 home would pay an additional $21.53. Al Callucci of 9 Lexington Road brought up the waterline project on Gilbert Road again and how much money will be left over. He feels the balance should be used to complete the project and close the loop while the contractors are on site. He reminded the Council that at the last meeting, he asked if the language of the bond would permit the use of the money for that. Commissioner Ivins stated his department has not completed their review of the bond language to answer Mr. Callucci’s question. Mr. Callucci continued to say he hasn’t seen anything in the 5 year capital budget relating to parking and/or putting an additional deck or two on the Woodlawn deck. He would recommend metering the additional parking deck(s). Parking is critical to the City and should be looked at. Page 2 of 5 City Council Meeting 8/28/09 Commissioner Scirocco stated he was in on the project when the City and County worked together to construct the parking deck on Woodlawn Avenue. He does not believe the parking deck was structurally designed to handle a third level. In regards to the Meadowbrook/Staffords Bridge loop, that was looked at previously but it is a considerable amount of money to do – in the millions. There would have to be a district set up out there like the one that was just set up. It is a concern of his to get as many loops closed up as possible. Janet St. Claire of 13 Concord Drive stated she hasn’t had a chance to thoroughly review the proposed budget but the paper reported that a new fire engine was not put in the budget. She wants to know what public safety issues are in the capital budget. As a person who has worked in emergency response, she is concerned and would like to know why the fire truck isn’t in the budget. Mayor Johnson explained that the fire engine is listed in the budget under items that are contingent upon outside funding. Mayor Johnson kept the public hearing open until the next public hearing meeting; Tuesday, September 1st at 6:30 p.m. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order at 1:13 p.m. PUBLIC COMM IENT PERIOD Mayor Johnson opened the public comment period at 1:14 p.m. Mayor Johnson said the public comment period is limited to a total of 15 minutes and individuals are limited to two minutes each according to the rules approved in February of 2004 by the City Council. No one spoke. Mayor Johnson closed the public comment period at 1:15 p.m. Presentations DPW Capital Projects Commissioner Scirocco stated the Canfield Casino, the Visitor Center and City Hall (City buildings) are listed in the 2010 capital budget plan. He wanted to provide information for the Council to be better educated when it comes time to vote. Commissioner Scirocco stated the first property they will work on in the Canfield Casino. He described the history of when the Canfield Casino was built, by whom and how much the land was purchased for. He listed the following projects: o Basement Moisture Control - The 1st project at the Casino is moisture control in the basement with cross ventilation. There is severe ponding on the west wall which is contributing to the moisture in the basement. There is mold in the basement that needs to be addressed and severe deterioration of structural wood due to the moisture. Drainage work and waterproofing of the east wall was done in 2001. This type of work will probably need to be done on the west side as well. o Handicap Ramp Restoration - The 2nd project is the handicap ramp-railing repairs. The original handicap ramp was installed in 1990. Frost has broken up the concrete, split the railings, and lifted the sidewalk. They hope the wall behind the brick veneer on the ramp is ok and can just put a new brick veneer on. Page 3 of 5 City Council Meeting 8/28/09 o Dining Room Stairs Replacement - The 3rd project is the replacement of the dining room stairs. In 1930, metal stairs were installed to replace the concrete stairs. The metal stairs are rusted and unstable. Repairs will include removal of old stairs, install overhead canopy to divert roof runoff, and install new metal stairs. o Museum Stairs Repair – The 4th project is to repair the stairs at the entrance to the museum. These stairs are not up to code and the railings are too low. Repairs will include removal of broken concrete, pour new concrete, relay brick pavers, and new railings. o Dining Room Plaster Restoration – The 5th project will involve the stabilization of the decorative plaster in the dining room. The last time plaster work had been done was 1980. We had a section of plaster between the dining room and parlor fall in June, 2009. o Parlor Room Plaster Restoration – The 6th project is to restore the plaster in the parlor of the Canfield Casino. An emergency structural evaluation was done in September, 2008. Another section of plaster fell. o Exterior Windows & Woodwork Restoration – The 7th project will include the restoration of the clerestory windows and woodwork. Roofs appear to be in good shape, but the copper flashings need to be repaired. The second property DPW will be working on is the Visitor Center. This building has been referred to as the Trolley Station, the Drink Hall, and the Visitor Center. The 2 projects proposed for this facility are as follows: o Damage Repairs to Stucco and Block Wall – Damage to the northwest corner of the building was caused by runoff from the roof. The building was constructed out of clay tile. The crack in the building is starting to make its way up to the exterior relief mural. o Slate Roof Replacement – The roof was restored in 1976 and left most of the original slate in place. Slate will last forever, but the structure underneath is creating the problems and gaps. The third and final property DPW will work on is City Hall. The 2 projects proposed are: o Roof Cornice – They intend to pitch the cornice back towards the building to avoid ice build up. They also plan to install heat tapes to melt the snow and ice. o City Hall Annex/East Wall Moisture Control – Debbie LaBreche stated there is no flashing underneath the concrete coping stones. Rain water and snow seeps through the wall and makes its way down through the brick. The water is also deteriorating the inside of the building. The high voltage lines are in the way of the work that needs to be done. National Grid is going to charge to move the lines – price quoted 3 years ago was $14,000. Commissioner Kim asked why National Grid wouldn’t be responsible for moving the lines. Deb LaBreche stated it would be great if anyone here could put pressure on them and have that discussion. The stand National Grid takes is they have an easement to be where they are and don’t take responsibility. Commissioner Kim stated he feels they have some responsibility – they created a situation. Commissioner Scirocco stated they have spoken with them and have been trying to negotiate something with them. Commissioner Kim asked if we are paying National Grid to move the lines permanently or temporarily. Deb LaBreche stated the moving of the lines would be temporary. Marilyn Rivers also has a concern with the power on that pole from a homeland security standpoint. It would be ideal to get these lines put underground. She also mentioned that we have been turned down on 3 grants for the Casino. Commissioner Ivins asked Commissioner Scirocco how much money he thought would be needed to solve everything. Commissioner Scirocco stated he didn’t know. Sometimes there is underlying damage that you are not aware of that ends up costing you more. That’s why there are change orders. They are throwing a number out to get the ball rolling. They are trying to restore some of the stuff. Page 4 of 5 City Council Meeting 8/28/09 Commissioner Ivins stated he is trying to get a handle on this or if Commissioner Scirocco is going to come back to the Council in 6 months and ask for another ½ million dollars. He would like to know up front what they are looking at. Commissioner Scirocco stated they are going to have to come up with some dollar figures if they decide to go ahead with this. The numbers they put out there are ballpark figures until they can get a number from a contractor. Deb LaBreche stated it is hard to put numbers on this because until the wall is opened, you don’t know if it is minor or major. The wall at the back of the Casino cost way more than anyone expected. Every day was a new problem. This is difficult. Commissioner Scirocco thanked the Council for listening to the presentation. Consent Agenda None Mayor’s Department None Accounts Department None Finance Department None Public Works Department None Public Safety Department None Supervisors None ADJOURNMENT Mayor Johnson moved and Commissioner Ivins seconded to adjourn the meeting. Ayes - All There being no further business, Mayor Johnson adjourned the meeting at 1:48 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Lisa Ribis Clerk Approved: 9-15-2009 Vote: 4 - 0 Page 5 of 5