City Council

March 2, 2010 CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS City Council Meeting Agenda 6:00 P.M. – Workshop for Paid Parking 7:00 PM CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL SALUTE TO FLAG PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD / 15 MINUTES PRESENTATION(S) EXECUTIVE SESSION CONSENT AGENDA 1. Approval of City Council Minutes 2/16/10 2. Approval Budget Amendments 3. Approve Budget Transfers 4. Approve Payroll 2/19/10 $384,707.49 5. Approve Payroll 2/26/10 $409,890.76 6. Approve Warrant 2010 Mid 10MWFEB5 $1,133,111.04 7. Approve Warrant 2010 Regular 10MAR1 $900,212.12 MAYOR’S DEPARTMENT 1. Presentation: 2010 CDBG Funding Recommendations 2. Set Public Hearing: Citizen Advisory Committee Recommendations for 2010 Entitlement Action Plan 3. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor to Sign Agreement with US Census Bureau 4. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor to Sign MOU with CDTA and Submit Application for Bicycle Racks 5. Discussion and Vote: Referral to Planning Board Advisory Opinion of Zoning Amendment Request for 126 West Avenue 6. Discussion: Sewer Moratorium Expiration 7. Discussion and Vote: City Resolution to New York State for VLT Operations at Aqueduct ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENT 1. Appointment: Board of Assessment Review 2. Award of Bid: Extension of Bid for Decorative Street Lights with Thorpe Electric Supply, Inc. 3. Award of Bid: Flowers and Miscellaneous Supplies to Sunnyside Gardens 4. Discussion: New York State Comptroller’s Report City Council Meeting 3/2/10 FINANCE DEPARTMENT 1. Discussion and Vote: Walsh & Walsh Professional Services 2. Discussion and Vote: DPW Capital Budget Payroll Transfers 3. Discussion and Vote: Fiscal Advisors 4. Discussion: City Finances PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT 1. Set Public Hearing: 2010 Water & Sewer Rates 2. Discussion and Vote: Census Bureau – Donation of Space 3. Discussion and Vote: Geyser Crest Well Field – Iota Construction: Change Order #3 4. Discussion and Vote: Geyser Crest Well Field – Stilsing Electric: Change Order #1 5. Announcement: Municipal Landfill Gas Management Project Program PUBLIC SAFETY 1. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor to Sign Agreement with K9 Officers 2. Discussion and Vote: Permission from City Council to Take Home City Vehicles 3. Discussion and Vote: Accept Donation from Morris Storage for the Infant Car Seat Program at an estimated amount of $145.00 per Month SUPERVISORS Joanne Yepsen 1. Pro-Act New Expanded Coverage Announcement 2. Geyser Road Bridge Construction Meeting Update 3. NYS Racing Update 4. County/City Economic Development Planning Matt Veitch 1. Update: County Trails Committee 2. Update: County Water System 3. Update: VLT Resolution 4. Google Fiber for Communities ADJOURN Page 2 of 13 City Council Meeting 3/2/10 March 2, 2010 CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS City Council Meeting City Council Room PRESENT: 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 STAFF PRESENT: Shauna Sutton, Deputy Mayor Kate Jarosh, Deputy Commissioner, Finance Michele Boxley, Deputy Commissioner, Accounts Tim Cogan, Deputy Commissioner, DPW Frank Dudla, Deputy Commissioner, DPS Joe Scala, City Attorney ABSENT: Scott Johnson, Mayor 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. CALL TO ORDER Commissioner Ivins called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. PUBLIC COMMENT Commissioner Ivins opened the public comment period at 7:04 p.m. Page 3 of 13 City Council Meeting 3/2/10 Commissioner Ivins 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. Peter Tulin of 40 Sarazen Street stated he missed the presentation on paid parking, however he attended the workshop where the plans were reviewed. He stated it was a well run workshop. The criticisms were delivered in an appropriate manner. Commissioner Ivins and his deputy did a great job absorbing the information in a non-defensive manner. It appears we will be $1.3 million short in revenues and costs of the government; it falls upon all to deal with that situation. The Council should work towards assuring the City has a successful summer season. It looks like Vitoria pool is in danger and suggested trying to generate publicity for what we can deliver here. Kyle York of 59 Railroad Place stated he heard clearly that the paid parking plan was a process. It was to commence with a committee to create an RFP. He asked how the committee was formed and what the members were charged to do. The first meeting lacked 2 committee members – Charles Wait and Joe Dalton chose not to come to create the RFP. If the RFPs were garbage you wouldn’t have received responses. They are something we could have worked from and moved forward. Commissioner Ivins closed the public comment period at 7:12 p.m. CONSENT AGENDA Commissioner Ivins moved and Commissioner Scirocco seconded to approve the consent agenda as follows and amended: 1. Approval of City Council Minutes 2/16/10 2. Approval Budget Amendments 3. Approve Budget Transfers 4. Approve Payroll 2/19/10 $384,707.49 5. Approve Payroll 2/26/10 $409,890.76 6. Approve Warrant 2010 Mid 10MWFEB5 $1,133,111.04 7. Approve Warrant 2010 Regular 10MAR1 $900,212.12 Commissioner Ivins stated he has a change to one of the warrants - 10MAR1 is now $899590.32. Vouchers were pulled for being charged to incorrect lines. Ayes - All MAYOR’S DEPARTMENT (Commissioner Ivins will run the mayor’s agenda due to his absence) Presentation: 2010 CDBG Funding Recommendations Brad Birge, Director of Community Development stated the Council has the recommendations of the Community Development Citizen Advisory Committee for the 2010 program year. Brad introduced the chair of the committee Richard Ferguson. Mr. Ferguson stated the committee met to put forward these recommendations. They had twice the amount of requests this year for funding. They made recommendations that would put forth the most efficient use of the money to help the most people they could. Commissioner Scirocco stated he is grateful for the amount DPW was allocated. The committee did a good job. Page 4 of 13 City Council Meeting 3/2/10 Mr. Birge stated tomorrow will start the 30 day comment period and would like the Council to set a public hearing on March 16th so the Council can act on April 6th. Set Public Hearing: Citizen Advisory Committee Recommendations for 2010 Entitlement Action Plan Commissioner Ivins set a public for March 16th at 6:55 p.m. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor to Sign Agreement with US Census Bureau (10-48) Commissioner Ivins moved and Commissioner Scirocco seconded to authorize the mayor to sign an agreement with the US Census Bureau to place a small display box in City Hall. Commissioner Ivins stated the box will be stocked with census forms by a census clerk 1 or 2 times a week. All- Aye Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor to Sign MOU with CDTA and Submit Application for Bicycle Racks (10-49) Commissioner Ivins moved and Commissioner Wirth seconded to authorize the mayor to sign a MOU with CDTA and to submit an application for bicycle racks. Brad Birge stated this is an authorization to sign a MOU and submit an application to CDTA. They are offering a bike rack grant program providing up to $1,000 to non-profit and public agencies for bike racks. The deadline is March 12th. The recreation dept has identified 3 locations to place the bike racks. They also reached out to private organizations for suggestions of bike rack placements. Brad advised the Recreation Department will kick in for the difference. Ayes – All Discussion and Vote: Referral to Planning Board Advisory Opinion of Zoning Amendment Request for 126 West Avenue This item was pulled from the agenda. Discussion: Sewer Moratorium Expiration This item was pulled from the agenda Discussion and Vote: City Resolution to New York State for VLT Operations at Aqueduct (10-50) Commissioner Ivins moved and Commissioner Franck seconded to approve the City resolution to New York State for VLT operations at Aqueduct. Commissioner Ivins read resolution into the minutes as follows: URGING RESOLUTION OF VLT OPERATIONS AT AQUEDUCT RACETRACK Mayor Scott T. Johnson Commissioner John Franck Commissioner Kenneth Ivins Commissioner Anthony Scirocco Commissioner Richard Wirth Page 5 of 13 City Council Meeting 3/2/10 WHEREAS, The State of New York awarded the franchise to operate thoroughbred horse racing in the state to the New York Racing Association (NYRA) for twenty-five years in 2008; and WHEREAS, as part of the Franchise agreement, New York State would operate Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs) at Aqueduct Racetrack, and has recently announced the selection of Aqueduct Entertainment Group to operate the VLTs at the track; and WHEREAS, until the VLT facility is constructed at Aqueduct, the State is losing approximately one million dollars per day, that could be used for operating costs for NYRA and also for educational programs within the State; as well as for much-needed capital improvements to all of its tracks, specifically Saratoga Race Course; and WHEREAS, the City Council recognizes the importance of thoroughbred racing to our economy, and a Saratoga County commissioned study in 2006 found that the overall impact of racing in the immediate nine-county area is over $200 million annually, and responsible for over 3,000 jobs, the loss of which would have a devastating effect on our regional economy; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, that this Council does hereby urge the State of New York to come to a franchise agreement for the operation of VLTs at Aqueduct Race Track as quickly as possible, and to begin construction of the VLT facility, in order to continue to preserve thoroughbred racing operations within the State; and be it further RESOLVED, that the Clerk of the City of Saratoga Springs shall forward a copy of this Resolution to the Governor of New York State, all members of the New York State Senate and Assembly and to the President of the New York Racing Association. BUDGET IMPACT STATEMENT: No budget impact Ayes – All ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENT Appointment: Board of Assessment Review Commissioner Franck announced the appointment of Vicki Aldrich to the Board of Assessment Review. Prior to entering real estate, Vicki worked as an administrator in the Office of Development and Alumni Affairs at Skidmore College, her alma mater. She has always been an active member of the community and has served in a variety of roles for local non-profit organizations. Currently she serves on the Board of Directors for the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce. She is a past president of Soroptimist International of Saratoga County and has served terms on the Boards of the Saratoga Care Foundation, the Franklin Community Center and the YMCA. Professionally she is a member of the National Board of Realtors, the Greater Capital Region Association of Realtors and has served on that Board’s Membership and Education Committee and the area’s Showcase of Homes Committee. Commissioner Franck thanked Vaughn Woodworth for his years of service and dedication to the Board of Assessment Review. He will be missed. Award of Bid: Extension of Bid for Decorative Street Lights with Thorpe Electric Supply, Inc. (10-51) The Department of Public Works has recommended extending the bid for decorative street lights with Thorpe Electric Supply, Inc. for one year. The current bid with Thorpe Electric provides for the extension of bid under the same terms and conditions. The new bid will expire on January 10, 2011. Commissioner Franck moved and Commissioner Scirocco seconded to extend the bid as described. Ayes – All Award of Bid: Flowers and Miscellaneous Supplies to Sunnyside Gardens (10-52) Commissioner Franck moved and Commissioner Scirocco seconded to award the bid for flowers and miscellaneous supplies to Sunnyside Gardens for various. Commissioner Franck advised Sunnyside Gardens was the lowest bidder. Page 6 of 13 City Council Meeting 3/2/10 Commissioner Ivins stated the 2010 budget calls for $20K. Is part of this going into another line item? Commissioner Scirocco stated he knows $20,000 was allocated so he will have to look into this. Commissioner Ivins asked if they wanted to pull the bid and bring it back at the next meeting. Lisa Ribis of the Accounts Office explained the bid is written with estimated quantities DPW will purchase. They may actually purchase more or less of an item but they are not obligated to purchase everything listed in the bid. The bidders are aware of this. Ayes – 3 Nay – 1 (Commissioner Ivins) Discussion: New York State Comptroller’s Report Commissioner Franck stated according to General Municipal Law Section 35, #3 – “…the clerk shall present the report of examination to the governing body of the municipal corporation for its consideration at the first meeting thereof held after the filing of the report with the clerk.” Also, as required by Section 35 of the General Municipal Law, we have made this report a public record open to inspection by any interested person in the Accounts Office; and published such notice in the official City newspapers. Commissioner Franck went on to explain the report covered the time period of January 1, 2008 – May 15, 2009. The report is on the City’s web site but not on the state’s web page yet. He read the first several pages of the report and Commissioner Scirocco’s response to the report. Commissioner Ivins stated at one point there was a theft in DPW. As soon as that was discovered they were asked to look at controls, etc. They were not able to look at anything until the investigation was completed. When the investigation was completed, Finance sat with DPW and other departments and went through a list of procedures and recommendations. New procedures were drawn up but DPW did not agree with all the suggested procedures. On December 16, 2008 the Council passed those procedures and Commissioner Scirocco stated we could pass them but he was not going to implement them. Finance started to work with DPW to get things implemented but by March they were not making progress. The Finance Office called the State Comptroller at that point to come in a look at the procedures and modify accordingly. They found the procedures were fine. The IT Department went to DPW on December 19th to install the cash register but was told to leave with it. The cash register eventually made its way down there and did not get hooked up into the system until after the State Comptroller arrived. There are still a number of things to be done to be in compliance. Memos have been sent of items still outstanding. As of August they sent another list of items that are outstanding and being negotiated. Commissioner Scirocco stated his department found the fraud. It is clear from the Council meeting in December 2008 that he agreed there should be controls but you were singling out the DPW. He didn’t say it wasn’t a good idea. He said he said it twice he wanted to cut out having the money come from the transfer station to his office and then up to finance. He doesn’t have accountants working for him. They do a good job but they do make mistakes. He is trying to straighten out 30 years of mismanagement in that department. They are still working on a DEC consent order. He was never in favor of not having this audit. He has been trying to work to get things in order. The cash register didn’t get in his office until July 2009 – there was training that had to be done and they kept waiting for it. They have taken measures to eliminate some of the problems. He is looking at doing an RFP and finding a vendor to take over the transfer station. The expenditures are up there - $40,000 salary, tipping fees, and the compactor breaking. He plans to send an RFP out to take a look at this. He is looking at pricing out a new compactor. He is trying to think outside the box and redesign the way they do business in DPW. Also, the forms his people have to fill out are complicated and should be simplified; they are very confusing. He thinks it is a better idea to take the money right up to Finance from the transfer station with a cash register receipt. If that happened to begin with there would be no fraud. He will work with Commissioner Ivins and the Council. He knows the report says he is not working with people. He wants to meet again and talk about some of the things they aren’t doing. They stopped selling shirts and he doesn’t think they need to be in the garbage business. Page 7 of 13 City Council Meeting 3/2/10 Commissioner Ivins stated the comptroller agreed it is better set of controls to have the money go to Commissioner Scirocco’s office and be verified before going to finance. Simplifying forms is fine – they can look at that again. He has a memo on the 18th stating the IT Department was told to take the cash register out of the office. Commissioner Franck stated from a CPA background, you want to separate duties so you do want to have the money go to DPW before it is brought to Finance. What he found disturbing in the report relates to the boxes – there was a discrepancy in the number of cases in stock and no record of inventory. He asked if Commissioner Scirocco could honestly say after putting the controls in people weren’t stealing. Commissioner Scirocco stated he didn’t know. When the bags come in they get inventoried and numbered. The problem is this was never set up right to begin with; it’s 30 years of mismanagement. Commissioner Franck stated this report is from January 2008 – May 2009. When Commissioner Scirocco brought that argument up in front of the comptroller’s assistants, he was shot down. Anything after 12/16/2008, when he was put on notice, doesn’t have anything to do with 2004, 1998, or anything else. Everyone else follows policies in other departments. Commissioner Scirocco stated it was bad in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and we can’t find the records for 2006. Commissioner Franck stated he can only talk about what was audited; January 1, 2008 – May 15, 2009. There’s a guy making $40,000 a year and Commissioner Scirocco is saying he can’t count bags. His concern is this report. Once these policies were put in place Commissioner Scirocco ignored them. Commissioner Scirocco stated in 2007 a cash register was put in at the transfer station. A cash register receipt came in to his office but never went up to finance with the deposit. The procedure was flawed to begin with. When he talked with the City auditors, they stated they were going to write it in their audit that they thought the money should have gone directly from the transfer station up to finance. Commissioner Franck stated if this report said the plan put forth on December 16, 2008 was a bad plan then he would agree with the argument. In fact, just the opposite was said. Commissioner Scirocco stated the issue is the money wasn’t going to finance in a timely manner. There is a 5 day grace period written in the policy. Commissioner Ivins stated the policy states daily. They just got energy to ice check from DPW dated January 28, 2010. He asked Commissioner Scirocco when it arrived in his office. Commissioner Scirocco stated they received it 2 weeks ago. They didn’t know what the check was for so they had to figure it out. They had to get in touch with Fred Wehran to find out what the check was for and he was on vacation for 2 weeks. They held on to the check for that reason. It cost his department $4,000 to get that check. Commissioner Ivins stated they could have brought that check to the Finance Office and tell them they are investigating what it was for. At least it would have been in a secure location. Commissioner Franck asked Commissioner Scirocco what his corrective action plan is. Commissioner Scirocco stated his plan is to work with the commissioner of finance and the Council to get this done in a timely manner. He said he doesn’t see why this is an issue. Commissioner Franck stated the issue is because there are 17 cases of bags that are not in his inventory. What stops any person from selling those bags to other people for $2 each. Commissioner Scirocco stated he agrees with Commissioner Franck. Page 8 of 13 City Council Meeting 3/2/10 Commissioner Ivins stated the finance office will send another copy of the list of items that need to be rectified and have further discussions if need be. Commissioner Franck stated we have 90 days to put a corrective action plan together. This report is as harsh as it gets. They consistently say the commissioner of public works throughout; they don’t say the Department of Public works. Commissioner Scirocco stated this is a part time job that he gets $14,500 for. He is not an accountant and doesn’t profess to be one. Because Commissioner Franck is an accountant, he should be helping him put the process together. You need to be an accountant to fill out the forms he has been looking at. Commissioner Ivins suggested setting up a meeting with a representative from finance, accounts and DPW to work through this. Commissioner Scirocco stated he would like to include some of the issues in the report as there are some things that he doesn’t believe are true. He would like to do a little investigation as to what happened to the stuff and come back and report on that. FINANCE DEPARTMENT Discussion and Vote: Walsh & Walsh Professional Services (10-53) Commissioner Ivins moved and Commissioner Franck seconded to retain Walsh & Walsh as bond counsel not to exceed $6,675.00 plus out of pocket expenses. Commissioner Ivins stated this is for legal services for the issuance of the 2010 serial bond, tax anticipation note, and 2010 bond resolution. Ayes - All Discussion and Vote: DPW Capital Budget Payroll Transfers (10-54) Commissioner Ivins moved and Commissioner Scirocco seconded to approve payroll transfers as previously distributed to the Council. Commissioner Ivins stated this is transfers from capital outlay water infrastructure and Vanderbilt Storm Drainage projects into the labor and social security lines. Commissioner Scirocco confirmed the correct line is water treatment plant capital project. Commissioner Ivins stated it is correct; it is just the labeling. Ayes – All Discussion and Vote: Fiscal Advisors (10-55) Commissioner Ivins moved and Commissioner Franck seconded to retain Fiscal Advisors not to exceed $7,800 as previously distributed to the Council. Commissioner Ivins stated this is for professional services for 2010 serial bonds and notice of sale. Ayes - All Discussion: City Finances Page 9 of 13 City Council Meeting 3/2/10 Commissioner Ivins stated nothing additional to add at this time. PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT Set Public Hearing: 2010 Water & Sewer Rates Commissioner Scirocco set a public hearing for March 16th at 6:35 pm. Commissioner Scirocco stated he has been working with Tony Izzo to revise the water rates resolution concerning low income housing. Developers are now constructing dwellings that do not fit the typical definition of a house. The resolution will be available by Friday, March 5th. The water budget ended the year in the black and he anticipates a minimal increase of 3%. The increase will build a small contingency for unexpected emergencies. Last year they expected a large increase from the County on the sewer surcharge but it was delayed until this year. On December 30, 2009 he received a letter from the County officially informing the City of the surcharge increasing by $353,124. This increase is solely due to the County’s expansion of the sewer operation. This charge will be passed on to the homeowners. Commissioner Ivins confirmed there will be a budget surplus for this coming year in the water fund. Is that enough to make up the shortfall in the unappropriated fund balance? Commissioner Scirocco stated they closed the gap of $200,000. Commissioner Ivins asked if he is still negotiating a reduction of fees with Interlaken. Commissioner Scirocco stated he is still negotiating with them and will not include it this time. Discussion and Vote: Census Bureau – Donation of Space (10-56) Commissioner Scirocco moved and Commissioner Wirth seconded to donate space in the Music Hall from April 27th – April 30th for the Census Bureau. Commissioner Scirocco stated this is for training of local data collection. Commissioner Ivins stated the attachment looked like this has already signed off by someone in your office. Commissioner Scirocco stated it wasn’t signed by him. Commissioner Ivins asked how much we normally get for the use of the hall. Commissioner Scirocco stated he doesn’t have that number; he would have to check on that. Ayes – 3 Nays – 1 (Commissioner Ivins) Discussion and Vote: Geyser Crest Well Field – Iota Construction: Change Order #3 (10-57) Commissioner Scirocco moved and Commissioner Franck seconded to approve change order #3 with Iota construction in the amount of $2,766 for the Geyser Crest Well Field Project. Commissioner Scirocco asked Paul Male to provide an overview. Paul Male stated this is change order #3. There are 10 items in this change order – 3 deducts and 7 adds. This is coming out of the $20,000 allowance. This change order will reduce the allowance to $13,764. Page 10 of 13 City Council Meeting 3/2/10 Commissioner Ivins stated he has certified the funds are there. Ayes – All Discussion and Vote: Geyser Crest Well Field – Stilsing Electric: Change Order #1 (10-58) Commissioner Scirocco moved and Commissioner Wirth seconded to approve the change order #1 with Stilsing Electric in the amount of $3,950 for the Geyser Crest Well Field. Commissioner Scirocco asked Paul Male to provide an overview. Paul Male stated this is the first change order and reduces the allowance to $1,050. The change order is for additional wiring and electrical work for various pumps. Commissioner Ivins stated he certified the funds are there. Ayes - All Announcement: Municipal Landfill Gas Management Project Program Commissioner Scirocco stated the City has been awarded $60,000 for the second phase under the municipal landfill gas program. PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor to Sign Agreement with K9 Officers (10-59) Commissioner Wirth moved and Commissioner Franck seconded to authorize the mayor to sign an agreement with the two K9 officers. Commissioner Wirth stated as result of the decision to close the K9 program, the officers were given the option to keep the dogs. This agreement will hold the City harmless. Ayes – All Discussion and Vote: Permission from City Council to Take Home City Vehicles (10-60) Commissioner Wirth moved and Commissioner Franck seconded to allow City vehicles to be taken home by law enforcement by assigned personnel as previously described. Ayes - All Discussion and Vote: Accept Donation from Morris Storage for the Infant Car Seat Program at an Estimated Amount of $145 per Month (10-61) Commissioner Wirth moved and Commissioner Scirocco seconded to accept the donation from Morris Storage for the infant car seat program at an estimated amount of $145 per month. Commissioner Wirth stated the storage unit keeps the car seats dry in a secure location until an appropriate agency can be located for the car seats to be transferred to. They plan to transfer the car seats by the end of June 2010. Ayes - All Page 11 of 13 City Council Meeting 3/2/10 SUPERVISORS Joanne Yepsen Pro – Act New Expanded Coverage Announcement Supervisor Yepsen reported coverage has been expanded to include discount on vision, lasik, and hearing services. There is no cost to the residents or the County budget. Discounts will now be given on lenses, frames, and eye exams. The web address is www.proactrx.com to download and print the card; the phone number is 1-877-776-2285. Geyser Road Bridge Construction Meeting Update Supervisor Yepsen reported an infrastructure meeting was held regarding the Geyser Road Bridge Project. The project is scheduled to start mid June and be completed by November. NYS Racing Update Supervisor Yepsen thanked the Council for reinforcing the Board of Supervisor’s resolution. Without VLT revenues NYRA is working out a loan from the state to keep the stakes at Belmont and Saratoga. The state is losing $1 million per day where a portion would be used to improve Saratoga Race Course. Owners and breeders are owed millions of dollars by the OTBs. New Jersey just decreased their racing season to a 50 day racing season for this year; weekend racing only. We need to organize and build a message and direct it to the lieutenant governor and the speaker of the assembly. County/City Economic Development Plan Supervisor Yepsen reported there is a County/City economic planning process. A meeting was held on February 17th and was attended by several CEOs of local businesses, college presidents, SEDC, City officials, etc. The goal was to communicate issues and concerns of economic development for our City and identify how we can grow the tax base, attract the businesses the community wants, etc. A big piece of economic success includes affordable housing needs and creating a sound plan to develop it. Additional meetings of this kind should be set. Supervisor Yepsen is meeting with Mr. Wait to set those meetings. Matt Veitch Update: County Trails Committee Supervisor Veitch reported they met today and reviewed work on new trails. One trail in Wilton is completed – near Edie Road. It is a 2.3 mile trail. Another trail is being built in Northumberland, bordering the Town of Wilton. It is a forestry lot that BOCES uses. BOCES is constructing the trail for the County. This should be completed in spring or fall as BOCES does not operate in the summer. Update: County Water System Supervisor Veitch reported the County water system has been completed. It was a $67 million dollar project. The Town of Wilton, Town of Ballston and Clifton Park are the customers for that system. Wilton is already receiving water from that system. Update: VLT Resolution Page 12 of 13 City Council Meeting 3/2/10 Supervisor Veitch thanked the Council again for voting for the VLT resolution in conjunction with the County. It is the most important thing we do in this community. Our job is to keep pressing via critical mass. Google Fiber for Communities Supervisor Veitch reported he and Supervisor Yepsen are working on this project. Google is looking to test an ultra speed network. They are planning an experiment and looking for locations to implement this. This internet service would be 100 times faster. They have an RFI for municipalities to determine where to build this network. They will build the case that Saratoga County is the place to test this. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Ivins moved and Commissioner Franck seconded to adjourn the meeting. Ayes – All There being no further business, Commissioner Ivins adjourned the meeting at 8:23 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Lisa Ribis Clerk Approved: 3/16/10 Vote: 5 - 0 Page 13 of 13