City Council

February 16, 2010 CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS City Council Meeting Agenda 6:55 P.M. - P.H. – Amend Capital Budget for Spring Run Trail 7:00 PM CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL SALUTE TO FLAG PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD / 15 MINUTES PRESENTATION(S) EXECUTIVE SESSION Discussion regarding proposed, pending or current litigation; personal private information of a person or corporation, or matters leading to the appointment, employment, promotion, demotion, discipline, suspension, dismissal or removal of a person or corporation. CONSENT AGENDA 1. Approval of City Council Minutes 2/2/10 2. Approval Budget Amendments 3. Approve Budget Transfers 4. Approve Payroll 2/12/10 $393,630.04 5. Approve Payroll 2/5/10 $418,985.80 6. Approve Warrant 2009 Mid MC6DEC09 $639.34 7. Approve Warrant 2009 Regular 6DEC09 $167,801.05 8. Approve Warrant 2010 10MWFEB1 $2,903.80 9. Approve Warrant 2010 Mid 10MWFEB2 $23,128.36 10. Approval Warrant 2010 Regular 10FEB2 $737,770.99 11. Accept SPAF Grants $3,520.00 12. Commissioner of Deeds MAYOR’S DEPARTMENT 1. Discussion and Vote: Field User Agreement 2. Discussion and Vote: Weibel and Vernon Ice Rink License Agreement for Skating Rink Time 3. Discussion and Vote: Amend the Capital Budget for Spring Run Trail 4. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor to Sign Supplemental Agreement #1 with DOT for Spring Run Trail City Council Meeting 2/16/10 ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENT 1. Award of Bid: and Authorization for Mayor to Sign Contract for Spring Run Trail with Luizzi Brothers 2. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor to Sign Agreement with Richard F. Mullaney for Legal Services 3. Discussion and Vote: Colwell Computers Garage Sign Agreement FINANCE DEPARTMENT 1. Discussion and Vote: Amend 2010 Capital Budget – Spring Run Trail 2. Discussion: Paid Parking 3. Discussion and Vote: Update 2010 Recreation Department Fees 4. Discussion: City Finances PUBLIC WORKS 1. Discussion: 2010 Water & Sewer Rates 2. Discussion and Vote: Fleet Safety Policy – Vehicle Use 3. Informational – Update on DPW Projects PUBLIC SAFETY 1. Discussion and Vote: Accept Donation of $500 from First Niagara Band for Drug Awareness 2. Discussion and Vote: Transfer Ownership of the K-9 Dogs to Their Police Officer Handlers SUPERVISORS Joanne Yepsen 1. Committee Meeting Reports: Public Health, Social Programs 2. Saratoga County 2010 Legislative Priorities 3. NYSAC Conference and Horse Racing Issue in NYS 4. County’s Economic Development Plan Matt Veitch 1. Update: Public Works Committee 2. Update: Social Programs Committee 3. Update: Racing Committee ADJOURN Page 2 of 13 City Council Meeting 2/16/10 February 16, 2010 CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS City Council Meeting City Council Room PRESENT: Scott Johnson, Mayor Ken Ivins, Commissioner of Finance John Franck, Commissioner of Accounts Anthony Scirocco, Commissioner of DPW Richard Wirth, Commissioner of DPS Matthew Veitch, Supervisor Joanne Yepsen, Supervisor (arrived 7:05 p.m.) STAFF PRESENT: Shauna Sutton, Deputy Mayor Kate Jarosh, Deputy Commissioner, Finance Michele Boxley, Deputy Commissioner, Accounts Joe Scala, City Attorney ABSCENT: Tim Cogan, Deputy Commissioner, DPW Frank Dudla, Deputy Commissioner, DPS 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 HEARING Amend 2010 Capital Budget for Spring Run Trail Mayor Johnson opened the public hearing at 6:56 p.m. Mayor Johnson advised this is the amendment required under the Charter because this project is not in the capital program approved last fall for this calendar year. The funding came in through federal stimulus money. We need to amend the capital budget to add the item. There is no City money going directly into the project. Page 3 of 13 City Council Meeting 2/16/10 No one spoke. Mayor Johnson closed the public hearing at 7:00 p.m. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. PUBLIC COMENT Mayor Johnson opened the public comment period at 7:01 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. Jeff Pfiel of 340 Broadway stated he is here to talk about paid parking. It is a one and a half page bid proposal for a $1 million plus revenue stream for the City. This bid proposal is inadequate to get legitimate bids from people. He spoke with a parking company in the region who stated he is not going to bid on this proposal as there is not enough information to make a legitimate response. There is no way anyone can pull this information together in the time period proposed for the response to the RFP. He sat on 2 parking committees over the past 12 years and came to the same conclusion – paid parking was not healthy for Saratoga Springs. He feels this is a bad idea and hopes the City puts this on the back burner. This is not the place to make up budget deficit. Peter Tulin of 40 Sarazen Street stated he is here on behalf of the Save the Victoria Pool Society. He presented a photo of the pool to the Council and showed a rendering of the pool. The New York State Parks and Recreation Commission is considering closing the pool in response to the state budget crisis. He is here to request the Council to assist the residents to help keep the pool open. The pool opened in 1935 and every year since there. He suggested putting together a workshop to investigate potential ways that we as a community can address the budget shortfalls that might cause this tragedy to happen. What is going to happen next? He also requested the supervisors to carry to same message to the Board of Supervisors. Mayor Johnson closed the public comment period at 7:08 p.m. Executive Session Mayor Johnson moved and Commissioner Franck seconded to move to executive session for discussion regarding proposed, pending or current litigation; personal private information of a person or corporation, or matters leading to the appointment, employment, promotion, demotion, discipline, suspension, dismissal or removal of a person or corporation at 8:15 p.m. Ayes - All Council returned from session at 8:32 p.m. Mayor Johnson reported one matter was resolved in executive session. Mayor Johnson moved and Commissioner Ivins seconded to authorize the City to retain the law firm of Bailey, Kelleher, and Johnson for the provision of legal services to the City of Saratoga Springs involving alleged workplace violence legal matters assigned by the City Council on or about January 5, 2010 under the direction of the Office of Risk and Safety at the hourly rate of $170 and to be capped at $1,000. Page 4 of 13 City Council Meeting 2/16/10 Ayes - All CONSENT AGENDA Mayor Johnson moved and Commissioner Ivins seconded to approve the consent agenda as follows: 1. Approval of City Council Minutes 2/2/10 2. Approval Budget Amendments 3. Approve Budget Transfers 4. Approve Payroll 2/12/10 $393,630.04 5. Approve Payroll 2/5/10 $418,985.80 6. Approve Warrant 2009 Mid MC6DEC09 $639.34 7. Approve Warrant 2009 Regular 6DEC09 $167,801.05 8. Approve Warrant 2010 10MWFEB1 $2,903.80 9. Approve Warrant 2010 Mid 10MWFEB2 $23,128.36 10. Approval Warrant 2010 Regular 10FEB2 $737,770.99 11. Accept SPAF Grants $3,520.00 12. Commissioner of Deeds Commissioner Ivins stated he has a change to one of the warrants – 2010 Regular 10FEB2. A voucher was pulled due to an audit and the new warrant amount is $736,187.29. Ayes - All MAYOR’S DEPARTMENT Discussion and Vote: Field User Agreement (10-37) Linda Terricola, director of recreation described the changes in the agreement as follows: $40 per tournament per site per week for port-a-potties; $25 for a tournament rate per site per day; $50 fee for trash disposal for every group operating a concession; $35 per hour for light rentals for youth groups. Mayor Johnson asked for clarification of which lights. Linda advised the charge for lights is for the East Side Recreation as well as Geyser Park. The school district will be additionally insured if a group uses the east or west side recreation. Organizations with concession stands must provide a copy of any and all keys plus concession stand procedures to the City for school district review. Other new fees include $150 organizational fee for players from 1 – 150 players and a $250 organizational fee for 151 plus players. The organizational fee includes the use/rental of the fields only. Commissioner Ivins stated they will be approving the fee schedule under his agenda. Mayor Johnson moved and Commissioner Ivins seconded to approve the agreement as described. Ayes – All Discussion and Vote: Weibel and Vernon Ice Rink License Agreement for Skating Rink Time (10-38) Linda Terricola stated theses fees were approved in December 2009. This reflects a modest increase for the groups that rent the rinks – a $5 hour increase. This increase will be effective July 1st. Another change included in this agreement is per the request of the Department of Public Works. They have requested that user groups who do not vacate the ice at their scheduled time will be charged in 15 minute increments until they are off the ice. Page 5 of 13 City Council Meeting 2/16/10 Mayor Johnson moved and Commissioner Ivins seconded to approve the agreement as described. Ayes – All Discussion and Vote: Amend the Capital Budget for Spring Run Trail (10-39) Mayor Johnson stated this item is also under the Finance agenda - #1. First the item needs to be approved for amendment; then the actual amendment to the capital budget will occur under Finance’s agenda. This will allow the amendment to the 2010 capital budget as this project was not originally included in this year’s capital budget. The amount of construction costs is covered by federal stimulus money and no direct cost to the City. Mayor Johnson moved and Commissioner Ivins seconded to approve the amendment to the capital budget for this project. Roll Call: Commissioner Franck – Aye Commissioner Ivins – Aye Commissioner Scirocco – Aye Commissioner Wirth - Aye Mayor Johnson - Aye Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor to Sign Supplemental Agreement #1 with DOT for Spring Run Trail (10-40) Mayor Johnson stated the City previously signed an agreement with DOT to allow this to proceed. They require an additional form to be signed. That is the item before us this evening. Mayor Johnson moved and Commissioner Ivins seconded to authorize the mayor to sign supplemental agreement #1 with DOT for the Spring Run Trail Project. Commissioner Ivins confirmed this is pending approval of item #1 under Finance’s agenda. Mayor Johnson advised that is correct. Ayes – All ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENT Award of Bid: and Authorization for Mayor to Sign Contract for Spring Run Trail to Luizzi Brothers (10-41) Commissioner Franck moved and Commissioner Johnson seconded to award the bid for Spring Run Trail project to Luizzi Brothers in the amount of $1,607,682.84 and to authorize the mayor to sign the agreement with them. Commissioner Ivins confirmed this is pending approval under finance. Mayor Johnson advised that is correct. Ayes – All Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor to Sign Agreement with Richard F. Mullaney for Legal Services (10-42) Page 6 of 13 City Council Meeting 2/16/10 The City of Saratoga Springs requires legal representation for the City’s Article 7 legal matters that have been identified as being subject to dismissal pursuant to specific sections in the Real Property Tax Law. Richard Mullaney, attorney for the Saratoga Springs School District article 7 cases, has agreed take on our article 7 cases. His fee for these services, which are $200 per hour, will be split between the City of Saratoga Springs and the Saratoga Springs School District. The City’s portion of the hourly rate will be $100 per hour. Commissioner Franck moved and Commissioner Scirocco seconded to authorize the mayor to sign the agreement with Richard F. Mullaney as described. Mayor Johnson asked if these cases have been pending for a while. Commissioner Franck stated the cases have been pending. He has been trying to resolve these for a while. These are all wins for the City. Ayes – All Discussion and Vote: Colwell Computers Garage Sign Agreement (10-43) Commissioner Franck moved and Commissioner Ivins seconded to extend the lease agreement for the parking deck sign program for Colwell Computers for 1 year. Ayes – All FINANCE DEPARTMENT Discussion and Vote: Amend 2010 Capital Budget – Spring Run Trail (10-44) Commissioner Ivins moved and Mayor Johnson seconded to amend the 2010 Capital Budget for the Spring Run Trail as previously distributed to the Council. Commissioner Ivins stated the total amendment is $1,787,003.00 in anticipated stimulus funds. Roll Call: Commissioner Franck – Aye Commissioner Ivins – Aye Commissioner Scirocco – Aye Commissioner Wirth – Aye Mayor Johnson - Aye Discussion: Paid Parking Commissioner Ivins stated the bids are due tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. The advisory committee will be meeting on the 23rd. That meeting is public and they will be discussing the bids to make their recommendation to the Council. He requested 2 workshops of the Council – March 2nd at 6:00 p.m. prior to the Council meeting. He will present the recommendations the advisory committee comes out with. He asked the Council to come to the workshop with their thoughts. If they feel none of the proposals are going to work, they should come to the workshop with a line by line budget plan of where to come up with $1.3 million dollars that is budgeted – either revenue or other cuts. The second workshop will be held on March 8th at 6:30 at the Casino. The public will have an opportunity at that workshop to comment about the bids, recommendations, or whatever the Council is recommending. He will look for the Council’s decision at the March 16th meeting for where they are going. Commissioner Ivins stated he and Supervisor Veitch have been talking with the County regarding the parking garage on Woodlawn Avenue (behind the Adirondack Trust) that the County helped pay for. As of Page 7 of 13 City Council Meeting 2/16/10 last August we have been able to charge for parking there, but the funds were to be dedicated to go towards the upkeep and maintenance of that garage. The mayor received a letter last week confirming that is the case regarding that garage. We currently maintain that garage now, so we do have expenses. We will have to start documenting what that cost is. He will have to work with Commissioner Scirocco for the number of hours his staff spends cleaning that garage, etc. Commissioner Franck has come up with the advertising to help offset the cost of upkeep in that garage. Commissioner Scirocco asked if we satisfied our debt service on that lot. Commissioner Ivins stated we have not. We bonded that money over 30 years. Commissioner Franck stated during the Council of 2006-2007, Commissioner McCabe and Commissioner McTygue were very clear that any money came from that garage had to be used to fix the facility up. Commissioner McCabe always pushed for some type of paid parking to maintain the parking facilities or for parking solutions. Mayor Johnson stated the agreement with the County is a little more specific. Revenue generated from paid parking at that facility must go to the operation and maintenance of that deck; not to paid parking in general. It is specific to that location. We have about 200 spaces there. Discussion and Vote: Update 2010 Recreation Department Fees (10-45) Commissioner Ivins moved and Mayor Johnson seconded to approve and update the 2010 Recreation Department fees as previously distributed to the Council. Ayes - All Discussion: City Finances Commissioner Ivins stated the sales tax for 2009 is almost completed. We are about 4.5% below 2008 and within $60,000 of how we adjusted our 2009 budget for sales tax. He is comfortable with the 2010 number of $8 million. Commissioner Franck stated he still is not comfortable with that number based upon what he has been hearing from people over the past couple of weeks. Commissioner Ivins stated the 2010 mortgage tax for January has been received. We are still down for the year. PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT Discussion: 2010 Water & Sewer Rates Commissioner Scirocco provided the Council with a copy of the letter he sent to the Interlaken Homeowner’s Association in April 2009. When he set the public hearing for water and sewer rates at the last City Council meeting, he anticipated all the information and documents being available for tonight’s meeting. He has been working with Tony Izzo regarding the water rates resolution regarding low income housing. Developers are now constructing dwellings that do not fit the typical definition of house. Tony has been researching if the language should be changed to unit or dwelling. He also received a request from Interlaken homeowners to reduce their water maintenance fee from $26.50 to $19.90 per quarter in 2010, and decrease again in 2011 by 50% (this is in the letter he provided the Council). When the water authority had the water system Interlaken was connected to, the residents paid a maintenance fee of $26.50 per quarter. No other user pays a maintenance fee. The residents of Interlaken feel it is not fair that they pay a maintenance fee when no one else pays a maintenance fee. He understands there is an issue with the debt service on the purchase of the system. He met with the president of the association and came up with this idea that the residents would pay the $3,000 connection fee like everyone else in the Page 8 of 13 City Council Meeting 2/16/10 City versus the maintenance fee over the length of the bond. It is roughly $3,000 or reduced revenue we will be seeing from that. Mayor Johnson confirmed if the $3,000 reduction is collective or aggregate. Commissioner Scirocco stated the $3,000 is for every user per year. It is his understanding the users never paid a connection fee when the City took over the system. The residents feel by reducing the maintenance fee by 50%, over the period of the bond, each one of them would have contributed the $3,000 connection fee. Mayor Johnson confirmed the reason for the maintenance fee is because the City incurred significant debt or expense to repair the water system that was taken over from that association. Commissioner Scirocco stated that is correct. He also stated they pay $100 per quarter and we don’t charge our regular rates. He doesn’t have all the particulars. The Interlaken residents requested this of him and he is bringing it to the City Council for them to make the decision if they want to go with this proposal or not. He doesn’t think it is fair the residents of Interlaken pay a maintenance fee and no one else in the City pays a maintenance fee. Mayor Johnson asked if it is known how much debt remains from the initial outlay by the City for the repair costs since we took it over. Commissioner Scirocco stated he doesn’t have those numbers but can have them for the next City Council meeting. He stated he came up with this agreement with the Interlaken Association and feels it is a fair agreement. Commissioner Franck advised the homeowner’s association came to the City and begged the City to take over their water system. They had a faulty water system. These are the fees they were paying before we got involved; their fees have not sky rocketed. We came in, spent a lot of money to save their tanks of water, upon their request. Public Works and part of the Council met with the residents at a homeowner’s meeting. Those residents asked the City to do this, we did it. Then a year ago a couple people came in to complain about it so now we are going to lower the rates for things we put a ton of money into to save this water system. He hopes this is not going to be put into the resolution. Commissioner Scirocco stated he doesn’t have the answer to that question. He is going to bring in president of the homeowner’s association and she can answer any questions or concerns you have. She was involved; he wasn’t here then. Commissioner Franck stated he was here then and remembers what happened. The residents came to the City because they were in dire straights with the system. The tanks were damaged and there was a lot of work we had to do there. Others may have benefited, but they knew this going in. He asked Commissioner Scirocco for a general idea of what the water and sewer rates are going to be – the City in general. Commissioner Scirocco stated the rates are not going to affect Interlaken. Commissioner Franck stated if we get less money it is going to affect everyone. Commissioner Scirocco stated the rates for the overall budget do not affect the Interlaken people. Commissioner Franck stated we invested $500,000 in the system and they don’t a penny more for the system then they were paying when the system was rotting and falling apart. Commissioner Scirocco stated he understands they agreed to that. Mayor Johnson stated before the Council decides, they need more information. Page 9 of 13 City Council Meeting 2/16/10 Commissioner Scirocco stated he felt this was a reasonable request on their behalf. Commissioner Ivins confirmed they are paying the maintenance fee on top of their normal water usage fee. Commissioner Scirocco stated that was correct. Commissioner Ivins confirmed based upon that the new rates will affect the Interlaken users. Commissioner Scirocco stated he doesn’t believe it affects Interlaken; he would have to check the resolution. He believes their water rates pay for the debt service on the system. His department has been working with the Finance Department on estimated revenues, expenditures, and fund balance for the 2009 water and sewer budgets. The numbers will available by the end of the month. The water budget ended the year in the black and anticipates an increase of 3-5%. The increase will build a contingency for emergencies. They had anticipated a large increase in the sewer budget last year from the County, but the increase was delayed until this year. He received a letter from the County on December 30, 2009 advising the increase in the sewer charge is $353,124. This is due to the County’s expansion of the sewer operation. This increase will be approximately $44 dollars per year per each sewer bill. The County sewer charge is 73% of the sewer budget. The 2 supervisors voted against this because we aren’t getting increased capacity. Supervisor Yepsen stated on March 18, 2008 the County Board of Supervisors put to vote a $53 million dollar sewer expansion project because of AMD. She was against the way it was going to be billed and the expansion does not include the sewer moratorium on Saratoga Lake. The City tax payers are getting strapped with 1/3 of this bill. Commissioner Franck asked if this sewer increase was budgeted for and when the City learned of this increase. Supervisor Yepsen stated the sewer district puts a call into the City’s Public Works Department and announces the rate for that year. This was passed on March 18, 2008. The rate was designated December 2009. Commissioner Franck asked what did we budget for knowing the increase was coming. Commissioner Scirocco stated we have to amend the budget to include the $353,000. Commissioner Ivins stated it was not put in the budget Commissioner Scirocco put together last fall. He also stated his deputy worked with DPW to get them some answers they needed, but she really wasn’t involved in the rates. He asked Commissioner Scirocco if he is looking at a rate increase in water to cover some of the shortfall for 2009. Commissioner Scirocco stated he believes they will finish in the black and wiped out the deficit from the past. They won’t know for sure until the final quarter numbers come in. The sewer budget is another situation with the $353,124. He read the resolution and it doesn’t say how long that money is bonded for. Supervisor Veitch stated the money is bonded for 30 years. The sewer rate was voted on for this year only and will remain at that rate as far as they know. It is up to the Sewer District to determine if that rate is going to change next year. If you are in a town that doesn’t have sewers, you don’t pay anything because you are not in the sewer district. Mayor Johnson stated the moratorium for connections to the County sewer around the lake expires on April 1, 2010. Page 10 of 13 City Council Meeting 2/16/10 Supervisor Yepsen stated that is something we should work on. She also mentioned we have 2 representatives from the City, appointed by the Board of Supervisors, that sit on the sewer commission. She urged George Cannon and Peter Crowley to come and report on a regular basis to the City Council. Paul Male, city engineer, stated the problem with the sewer is the forcemain is at full capacity. The forcemain will not be replaced until they start the bridge work, so the moratorium is still in place because there is no capacity. Commissioner Scirocco stated in addition to the County increase he is estimating a sewer rate increase between 3-5% to cover a small operating deficit – approximately $100,000. He anticipates bringing this information to the next City Council meeting. He stated he can bring some of his staff to the next City Council meeting to discuss this in a little more detail and answer some of the questions. Discussion and Vote: Fleet Safety Policy – Vehicle Use (10-46) Commissioner Scirocco moved and Commissioner Wirth seconded to allow the deputy commissioner and himself to drive City vehicles to and from their homes for the purpose of conducting City business as they deem necessary. Mayor Johnson confirmed the deputy commissioner as Tim Cogan. Commissioner Scirocco stated that is correct. Commissioner Ivins confirmed those are the only people and only two vehicles for DPW. Commissioner Scirocco stated that is it. Ayes - All Informational – Update on DPW Projects Commissioner Scirocco asked Paul Male to provide an overview of where they are with DPW projects. Paul Male advised of the following:  Nelson Ave Phase II – main storm sewer line run from the track to the Villages of Saratoga was completed this past summer.  Nelson Ave Phase III – sanitary sewer forcemain where flows were redirected is 80% complete  Nelson Ave Phase IV – new sanitary, storm, water services, etc. from Lincoln to Gridley is 75% complete and will be finished this spring  Gilbert Road – new 12” main between Conver Drive and Lake Avenue is 98% complete  Visitor Center wall – fixed front façade in 2 locations is 100% complete  Geyser Crest Wellfield Improvements – required improvements to the system should be completed by March. This was supposed to have been completed by December 1st, but since they knew we were running into delays, the state approved to extend the project. This should be completed by March 15th and is 90% complete.  Rt. 9P waterline – extended waterline for additional fire protection is 100% complete  Church Street project is a stimulus project – new storm sewer, curbs, lighting, etc. is 60% complete  Core Area Mobility Project – new handicap ramps by the Arts Council, etc. will start this spring (new project)  City Center storm sewer for City Center expansion will be finished this spring  Arts Council storm drainage is scheduled for 2010  Casino plaster repairs is scheduled for 2010  City Hall south wall drainage project is scheduled for 2010  Railroad Run, Spring Run Trail and Waterfront (need to get rid of building) Page 11 of 13 City Council Meeting 2/16/10  Waterline replacements has $400,000 in capital budget for replacements on Beekman Street, Cottage Street, Washington Street, Ritchie Place, and Van Dorn Street  Fifth Avenue storm sewer PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT Discussion and Vote: Accept Donation of $500 from First Niagara Bank for Drug Awareness (10-47) Commissioner Wirth stated with the elimination of the DARE program, they agreed to stay in touch with the students. This program is in conjunction with the school district and the Prevention Council. Sgt. Catone, Lt. Veitch, and Investigator Kelly will work within their schedule to conduct presentations from time to time. This will cover the age groups of 7 and up. Commissioner Wirth moved and Commissioner Ivins seconded to accept the donation of $500 from First Niagara Bank for drug awareness program. Ayes – All Discussion and Vote: Transfer Ownership of the K-9 Dogs to their Police Officer Handlers Commissioner Wirth pulled this item from his agenda. SUPERVISORS Joanne Yepsen Committee Meeting Reports: Public Health, Social Programs Supervisor Yepsen reported the County has a couple resolutions on the table regarding public health and social programs. They voted to increase public health expenses and revenues by $140,000 to amend the 2009 County budget under the Maplewood Manor and they are also accepting a grant from the State Department of Health. They are asking the commissioner of social programs for more specific stats for next month. Saratoga County food stamp requests are up 40%, Medicaid is up 21%, and requests for temporary assistance programs (Welfare) is up 10%. Saratoga County 2010 Legislative Priorities Supervisor Yepsen reported the County legislative priorities have been developed. There are approximately 10. They are opposing efforts by the Hudson River / Black River Regulating District to assess fees or charges against Saratoga County or other governments to cover revenue shortfall in their operating budget caused by the federal court ruling. NYSAC Conference and Horse Racing Issue to NYS Supervisor Yepsen reported they met last week with a record breaking number of attendees. She has been working closely with NYSAC and has found it has made a difference. They put a horse racing session together. The director of NYS OTB attended as well as a number of County legislators. They discussed how OTB’s situation and the VLT’s situations are affecting our breeding and will affect handle and quality of racing. Breeders are being offered better programs by other states. We are losing $1 million in revenue per day with no VLTs up and running in Aqueduct. NYRA is running out of money and the state doesn’t have money to bail them out because the VLTs have not been installed. The MOU will be released as scheduled – 30 days from the selection date. County’s Economic Development Plan Page 12 of 13 City Council Meeting 2/16/10 Supervisor Yepsen reported developing an economic development plan is on their plate. She has organized a meeting with CEOs and key players in our community for tomorrow. Matt Veitch Supervisor Veitch stated the presentation on the Victoria Pool was good. He is suggesting doing a resolution for the pool similar to what they did last year for the tree nursery when it was proposed to close that. Update: Public Works Committee Supervisor Veitch reminded everyone that the Geyser Road bridge will be replaced this year; stimulus funds will cover the cost of the construction of the project. The bridge inspection required is not covered by the stimulus fund and will have to be appropriated – approximately $5,600. There is a pre-construction meeting next week. The construction is anticipated to start in May. Update: Social Programs Committee Supervisor Veitch reported they have a resolution on the agenda for $159,251 in state aid for the Probation Department. This program helps juvenile delinquency and puts them in transitional services and group homes rather than detention or incarceration. It saves tax dollars by keeping them out of detention systems. The program serves approximately 40 juveniles. This resolution was passed last year at the County. Update: Racing Committee Supervisor Veitch reported they met at the beginning of the month and have a resolution proposal urging the state to get the VLT deal done at Aqueduct. He proposed the Council pass a companion resolution to go with the County resolution. 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 8:34 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Lisa Ribis Clerk Approved: 3/2/10 Vote: 4 - 0 Page 13 of 13