City Council

May 3, 2011 CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS City Council Meeting Agenda 6:45 PM P.H. – Street Acceptance – Lilac Lane 6:55 PM P.H. – Taxi Fingerprinting Fee Increase 7:00 PM CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL SALUTE TO FLAG PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD / 15 MINUTES PRESENTATION(S) 1. Johnson Controls – Performance Contract Cost Avoidance Report 2. Sustainable Saratoga / Cool Cities Campaign Update CONSENT AGENDA 1. Approval of 4/19/11 City Council Minutes 2. Approval Budget Amendments 3. Approve Budget Transfers 4. Approve Payroll 4/22/11 $370,111.67 5. Approve Payroll 4/29/11 $403,021.65 6. Approve Warrant 2011 Mid 11 MWARP2 $542,727.00 7. Approve Warrant 2011 Regular 11MAY1 $194,448.56 MAYOR’S DEPARTMENT 1. Announcement: Museum Wise Award of Merit 2. Discussion and Vote: Agreement with Pinnacle Human Resources, LLC 3. Discussion: Status of City Wide Conversion to MVP Healthcare 4. Discussion and Vote: Appointment to Ethics Board 5. Discussion and Vote: Accept Donations for the Summer concert Series 6. Discussion: Status of Capital Projects ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENT 1. Award of Bid: Catchbasin & Manhole Frame Risers to SPK Steel Fabrication, Inc. 2. Award of Bid: Fire Sprinkler Inspection Services to Microm Engineered Systems 3. Award of Bid: Granite Curbs to Syrstone, Inc. 4. Award of Bid: Motor Oil to R.H. Crown Co., Inc. 5. Award of Bid: Precast Curb to The Fort Miler Co., Inc. 6. Award of Bid: Precast Manholes, Catchbasins, Dry Wells and Frames & Covers to The Fort Miller Co., Inc. 7. Award of Bid: Water & Sewer Pipe, Fittings, Hydrants and Valves to Ferguson Waterworks 8. Announcement: Grievance Class 9. Discussion and Vote: Increase in Fingerprinting Fee for Taxi Drivers City Council Meeting 5/3/11 FINANCE DEPARTMENT 1. Discussion: 2011 1st Quarter Financial Report 2. Discussion and Vote: Mayor’s Department Payroll Transfers 3. Discussion and Vote: City Center Payroll Transfers 4. Discussion: City Finances PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT 1. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for the Mayor to Sign a Contract with Ryan Biggs for the Canfield Casino 2. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for the Mayor to Sign a Sidewalk Contract with Masonic Lodge 3. Announcement: Carousel 4. Announcement: Compost Material for Sale 5. Discussion and Vote: Permission to Pay Voucher to Carousels and Carvings, Inc. 6. Discussion and Vote: Street Acceptance – Floral Estates PUBLIC SAFETY 1. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor to Sign Contract with Wheelabrator Hudson Falls, LLC SUPERVISORS Joanne Yepsen 1. County Veterans Plan 2. Grants to You 3. Land & Farmland Protection 2011 Grants from County Matthew Veitch 1. Technology Committee 2. CDTC / I-87 / Rt. 9 Integrated Corridor Management Plan Update ADJOURN Page 2 of 11 City Council Meeting 5/3/11 May 3, 2011 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 Sharon Kellner-Chille, Deputy Commissioner, Accounts Tim Cogan, Deputy Commissioner, DPW Joe Scala, City Attorney EXCUSED: Scott Johnson, Mayor Frank Dudla, Deputy Commissioner, DPS PUBLIC HEARING Street Acceptance – Lilac Lane Commissioner Ivins opened the public comment period at 6:45 p.m. Commissioner Scirocco stated this is for Lilac Lane, a portion of Marigold Lane, and a portion of Summerfield Lane. Paul Male, city engineer stated this is part of the Floral Estates subdivision. No one spoke. Commissioner Ivins closed the public hearing at 6:55 p.m. Taxi Fingerprinting Fee Increase Commissioner Ivins opened the public hearing at 6:55 p.m. Page 3 of 11 City Council Meeting 5/3/11 Commissioner Franck announced this is on his agenda for discussion and vote. This is to increase the fee from $100 to $119.25 to include background searches outside of the state of New York. No one spoke. Commissioner Ivins closed the public hearing at 7:00 p.m. 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 7:00 p.m. PUBLIC COMENT Commissioner Ivins opened the public comment period at 7:01 p.m. 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. Rick Thompson of 24 Frederick Drive stated the presentation by the mayor and city manager of Canandaigua was enlightening. They explained how the council manager form of government works successfully in their city. There were numerous examples of how political leadership works hand in hand with managerial competence and experience. Not one member of the City Council bothered to attend, or any deputy commissioner. They wouldn’t want new knowledge to interfere with entrenched habit. The present City Council continues to tunnel underneath the light of education and the opportunity for a more participatory local government. Why invite voter participation when suppression is working fine? The City Council has successfully blocked the lawful will of a sufficient number of voters to place a new proposed charter on the ballot for public debate. The City Council has continued to delay and derail honest, sincere, and legally correct citizen initiative petition to examine a more inclusive and cost effective form of government. The mayor and city manager displayed a budget document that included a vision statement, a mission statement, core values, code of ethics, and departmental budgets that could be easily understood by the average voter. It was a show of a city that actually has its act together. On May 11th the residents will have another opportunity to hear about the City of Elmira’s council manager form of government. In those cities, it is about citizen participation, technical competence, and enlightened government. In Saratoga Springs, it is about voter suppression to keep the light out, and to preserve and protect old habits. The definition of voter suppression is “a strategy to influence the outcome of an election by discouraging or preventing people from exercising their legal right to vote.” The reality is we are living this in Saratoga Springs today. Dr. David Spingarn of 4 Leaward Way stated we can lead the way in being greener by stopping the idling of cars including City vehicles. This would stop pollution and save the City a lot of money. The American Lung Association states children are vulnerable to exhaust. An idling car for 10 minutes per day wastes 30 gallons of gas per year. It makes sense for the City to educate and lead the way. Commissioner Ivins closed the public comment period at 7:08 p.m. PRESENTATION Page 4 of 11 City Council Meeting 5/3/11 Johnson Control – Performance Contract Cost Avoidance Report Commissioner Scirocco introduced Brian Marks from Johnson Controls. Mr. Marks is located in the Albany business office. This is a 15 year contract with the first year of the performance contract entailed November 2009 through December 2010. They exceeded their 1st year goal of savings which was $177,362. We actually saved $221,368 after the first year. The overall goal of savings is $3,090,000; they are $245,000 ahead of planned savings contractually. Mr. Marks advised energy measures included lighting upgrades, energy efficient boilers, efficient boiler controllers, improvements at the ice rinks, etc. The bulk of the savings was achieved at the ice rink - $105,000 in savings. Operational savings associated with this contract for the first year equated to $15,000. There was $27,000 in non-measured savings. The non-measured savings consisted of things such as the boiler controllers, vending machine controls, weatherization, etc. The savings achieved calculated to a net reductions of 922 tons of CO2 and 13,000 therms of natural gas. Sustainable Saratoga/Cool Cities Campaign Update Supervisor Yepsen announced Sustainable Saratoga was founded 2 years ago as a grass roots organization. Talent and experience is coming from all over the region to look at how we can be economically and green smart. She introduced Rebecca Drago, Jim Zack, and Celeste Caruso. Rebecca Drago stated she has been chairing the Cool Cities Campaign for the past couple of years. The Cool Cities agreement states they have committed to reducing carbon emissions by 7% by 2012. The first step was running a city-wide greenhouse gas emissions inventory. They have come up with a transportation proposal they know the City can improve on. Charlotte Levy stated they have been trying to collect information regarding where emissions are coming from. They will be working over the summer with data being provided by the Departments of Public Works and Public Safety. They should have a full report by this fall where they will be able to make recommendations to the City where there could be emissions savings. Rebecca stated they have come up with a 3-prong plan with easy steps the City could take. The first area is idling vehicles. Idling is actually illegal in the state of New York, however it is not enforced. They will be working with Public Safety to educate people that not only is idling illegal, it is bad for the environment. They would like to pass an ordinance to make it illegal to idle in the City. Stephanie stated the second prong of the proposal is fuel efficiency. A lot of cities across the country are adopting purchasing policies to only purchase fuel efficient vehicles. Hybrid vehicles save about 60% of the fuel on gas. The third section of the proposal involves bike infrastructure. They would like to see an ordinance stating that every time a road is repaved, bike infrastructure would be added. It could be as small as a share the road sign or an actual bike lane. They provided the City Council with their Transportation Proposal. Commissioner Franck stated there was a plan done for the City for bike paths. He asked if Cool Cities studied that plan. Rebecca stated they had and they have worked with a person who was involved in that plan. Page 5 of 11 City Council Meeting 5/3/11 CONSENT AGENDA Commissioner Ivins moved and Commissioner Wirth seconded to approve the consent agenda as follows: 1. Approval of 4/19/11 City Council Minutes 2. Approval Budget Amendments 3. Approve Budget Transfers 4. Approve Payroll 4/22/11 $370,111.67 5. Approve Payroll 4/29/11 $403,021.65 6. Approve Warrant 2011 Mid 11 MWARP2 $542,727.00 7. Approve Warrant 2011 Regular 11MAY1 $194,448.56 Ayes - All MAYOR’S DEPARTMENT Announcement: Museum Wise Award of Merit Commissioner Ivins introduced Jamie, the executive director of the history museum. Jamie stated the Saratoga Springs History Museum received the Museum of Merit Award about a month ago. The award was based upon improvements made in 2010. They triple their program attendance, doubled their annual appeal, and achieved their highest visitation rates ever. They were one of the smallest museums ever recognized. He invited all to visit the museum. Commissioner Scirocco stated he was recently in the museum and was very impressed with the exhibits. Discussion and Vote: Agreement with Pinnacle Human Resources, LLC This item was pulled from the agenda. Discussion: Status of City Wide Conversion to MVP Healthcare This item was pulled from the agenda. Discussion and Vote: Appointment to Ethics Board This item was pulled from the agenda. Discussion and Vote: Accept Donations for the Summer Concert Series (11-134) Commissioner Ivins moved and Commissioner Wirth seconded to accept the donations for the summer concert series from Empire State College for $100 and $100 from the Saratoga Springs Teacher’s Association. Ayes – All Discussion: Status of Capital Projects Deputy Mayor Sutton announced the Capital Program Committee meets monthly. They are working on a long range plan for the entire City fleet as well as the City owned buildings and properties. They are also expanding the focus of the group to address the non-capital needs, such as fleet inventory. They mayor will have more to report after a later meeting. Page 6 of 11 City Council Meeting 5/3/11 ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENT Award of Bid: Catchbasin & Manhole Frame Risers to SPK Steel Fabrication, Inc. (11-135) Commissioner Franck moved and Commissioner Scirocco seconded to award the bid for Catchbasin & Manhole Frame Risers to SPK Steel Fabrication, Inc. for various prices. Ayes – All Award of Bid: Fire Sprinkler Inspection Services to Microm Engineered Systems (11-136) Commissioner Franck moved and Commissioner Wirth seconded to award the bid for Fire Sprinkler Inspection Services to Microm Engineered Systems. Ayes – All Award of Bid: Granite Curbs to Syrstone, Inc. (11-137) Commissioner Franck moved and Commissioner Scirocco seconded to award the bid for Granite Curbs to Syrstone, Inc. as they were the only bidder. Ayes – All Award of Bid: Motor Oil to R.H. Crown Co., Inc. (11-138) Commissioner Franck moved and Commissioner Scirocco seconded to award the bid for Motor Oil to R.H. Crown Co., Inc. Ayes – All Award of Bid: Precast Curb to The Fort Miler Co., Inc. (11-139) Commissioner Franck moved and Commissioner Scirocco seconded to award the bid for Precast Curb to The Fort Miller Co., Inc. as they were the only bidder. Ayes - All Award of Bid: Precast Manholes, Catchbasins, Dry Wells and Frames & Covers to The Fort Miller Co., Inc. (11-140) Commissioner Franck moved and Commissioner Wirth seconded to award the bid for Precast Manholes, Catchbasins, Dry Wells, and Frames & Covers to The Fort Miller Co., Inc. Ayes – All Award of Bid: Water & Sewer Pipe, Fittings, Hydrants and Valves to Ferguson Waterworks (11-141) Commissioner Franck moved and Commissioner Scirocco seconded to award the bid for Water & Sewer Pipe Fittings, Hydrants and Valves to Ferguson Waterworks for various prices. Ayes – All Announcement: Grievance Class Page 7 of 11 City Council Meeting 5/3/11 Commissioner Franck announced that a class on how to grieve your assessment will be held on May 12th from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. in the City Council Room. This is the 5th annual class. There will be a power point presentation. Also, assessment day is the 4th Tuesday, May 24th. Discussion and Vote: Increase in Fingerprinting Fee for Taxi Drivers (11-142) Commissioner Franck advised the current fee for taxi fingerprinting is $100 - - $75 of that fee is sent to DCJS (Division of Criminal Justice Services) and the other $25 is an administration fee for the Department of Public Safety. The current background search for criminal history of taxi driver applicants only includes New York State. We would like to increase the fingerprinting fee to $119.25 so that the background search for criminal history can be expanded to include an FBI search. This search will allow us to know if a taxi driver applicant has a criminal charge that occurred outside New York State; therefore providing greater safety for the public. DCJS will receive $94.25 of the $119.25 and the Department of Public Safety will continue to receive their $25 administration fee. This fee is paid when someone initially applies for a taxi driver’s license or if their license to drive a taxi has expired for 6 or more months. Commissioner Franck moved and Commissioner Wirth seconded to approve the fee increase for fingerprinting services for taxi drivers as described and to be effective May 4, 2011. Ayes - All FINANCE DEPARTMENT Discussion: 2011 1st Quarter Financial Report Commissioner Ivins stated the Charter requires he present quarterly reports. A copy of this report will be available in the City Clerk’s office and on line. On the revenue side; most of the yearly revenues were not recognized. This is normal for the 1st quarter. Property tax collection is 45% collected, building permits increased from 2010, fines are up from 2010, and forfeit of bail is up from 2010. The Casino rental decreased 31% from last year. On the expense side, most department expenses are running at 25%. This is on target. Commissioner Scirocco stated they have been working on some solutions for the decrease in the Casino rentals and will probably bring those suggestions to the next Council meeting. Discussion and Vote: Mayor’s Department Payroll Transfers (11-143) Commissioner Ivins moved and Commissioner Wirth seconded to approve the Mayor’s Department payroll transfers as previously distributed to the Council. Ayes - All Discussion and Vote: City Center Payroll Transfers (11-144) Commissioner Ivins moved and Commissioner Wirth seconded to approve the City Center payroll transfers and previously distributed to the Council. Ayes - All Discussion: City Finances Page 8 of 11 City Council Meeting 5/3/11 Commissioner Ivins thanked the public for submitting suggestions on what to do with the VLT aide money. There was a lot of response. The Council will be meeting to put a plan together for allocation of this money. The VLT money is normally received mid to late June. Commissioner Ivins also announced that Friday, May 20th is bike to work day. Breakfast will be offered in front of the Arts Council that day. PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT Discussion and Vote: Authorization for the Mayor to Sign a Contract with Ryan Biggs for the Canfield Casino (11-145) Commissioner Scirocco stated this proposal is for structural engineering services for evaluation and re- design of the dining room floor and remediation of basement moisture at the Casino. Commissioner Scirocco moved and Commissioner Wirth seconded to have the mayor sign a contract with Ryan-Biggs in the amount of $27,100. Ayes - All Discussion and Vote: Authorization for the Mayor to Sign a Sidewalk Contract with Masonic Lodge (11- 146) Commissioner Scirocco stated this for the installation of 882 square feet of sidewalk at $7 per square foot in front of 687 North Broadway. Commissioner Scirocco moved and Commissioner Wirth seconded to authorize the mayor to sign a contract with the Masonic Lodge in the amount of $6,174.00. Ayes - All Announcement: Carousel Commissioner Scirocco announced the carousel will be open Mother’s Day from 12:00 noon – 6:00 p.m. During the month of May, the carousel will be open weekends only. They will post the summer hours on the web. Announcement: Compost Material for Sale Commissioner Scirocco announced compost will be available May 7th and May 14th. Residents must come to City Hall to pre-pay. Discussion and Vote: Permission to Pay Voucher to Carousels and Carvings, Inc. (11-147) Commissioner Scirocco stated this voucher is in amount of $3,186. Commissioner Scirocco moved and Commissioner Wirth seconded to authorize the payment of the voucher in the amount of $3,186. Ayes - All Discussion and Vote: Street Acceptance – Floral Estates (11-148) Page 9 of 11 City Council Meeting 5/3/11 Commissioner Scirocco moved and Commissioner Wirth seconded to amend Chapter 201 to include the following road as a public street: Lilac Lane, a portion of Marigold Lane and Summerfield Lane. The acceptance of the street is conditioned upon the developer filing all necessary deeds and easements in the Saratoga County Clerk’s Office with written proof provided to the City of Saratoga Springs and a minimum of 1 year letter of credit would be required. Ayes – All **** Commissioner Scirocco stated after 17 years, Paul Male, city engineer has announced his retirement. He was hired in 1994 under A.C. Dake. He has conducted engineering reviews for the Planning Board. He also designed and supervised sanitary sewer projects done by the City. Commissioner Scirocco thanked Paul for his years of service. ****Commissioner Scirocco moved and Commissioner Franck seconded to add an item to the agenda regarding the City sponsoring an event at the Casino. Ayes – All Discussion and Vote: City to Sponsor a Reception at the Canfield Casino for Advanced Semi-Conductor Manufacturing Conference (11-149) Commissioner Scirocco stated the first semi-conductor conference will be hosted in this area by the Saratoga Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) and the Saratoga Convention and Tourism Bureau on May 17th. The attendees will be high level executives in this industry from all over the world. These meetings will generate tax revenue in the City. He proposed partnering with SEDC and the Saratoga Convention and Tourism Bureau in bringing this event to the City. Commissioner Scirocco moved and Commissioner Wirth seconded to allow the City to sponsor the event with SEDC and the Saratoga Convention and Tourism Bureau at the Casino at no charge for the use of the Casino. Ayes - All ****Commissioner Scirocco asked Paul Male to speak about water tables and flooding in the City. Paul Male stated they have been receiving calls regarding flooding. He reminded everyone that due to the amount of rain, the water tables are higher. This is causing water in basements, etc.; development is not causing flooding. PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor to Sign Contract with Wheelabrator Hudson Falls, LLC (11- 150) Commissioner Wirth advised Chief Cole is here to explain the chain of custody and process to destroy items. Chief Cole stated every year they have illegal drugs, sexual assault kits, etc. that have to be destroyed. They will be charged on a per ton basis and a fee for the Police Department to be present while these items are being destroyed. Commissioner Wirth moved and Commissioner Franck seconded to have the mayor sign a contract with Wheelabrator Hudson Falls, LLC. Ayes - All Page 10 of 11 City Council Meeting 5/3/11 SUPERVISORS Joanne Yepsen County Veterans Plan Supervisor Yepsen announced they will be honoring Ellsworth Jones on May 17th at the County at 2:00 p.m. The US Military Band will be performing again at SPAC this year. Supervisor Yepsen also reported that the County Veterans’ Committee proposed passing a local law re- districting the protesting of a veteran’s funeral. The Committee is suggesting 2 hours before and 2 hours after a veteran funeral is off-limits for protesting. In addition, protests have to be a specified amount of feet from the funeral. Grants to You Supervisor Yepsen announced this is the 5th year of the Grants to You Program. There will be a class in October which will teach you to write grants. Land & farmland Protection 2011 Grants from County Supervisor Yepsen announced the County is offering grants for land and farmland protection. Municipalities and non-profit organizations can apply for this. They have $500,000 to award and are looking for applicants. The application period began May 2nd and will continue through July 19, 2011. The application can be obtained from the website – www.saratogacountynewyork.gov. Matthew Veitch Technology Committee Supervisor Veitch announced they met April 20th and received a request from their Mental Health Department for new software. The committee suggested the Mental Health Department speak with other similar departments to see if they could come up with one software package that would benefit multiple departments. Supervisor Veitch also reported that their computer and IT policy is ready to go to the Law and Finance Committee for approval. The IT policy is new at the County. The Committee also started a computer inventory and they are looking at replacing time clocks with a time and attendance system on-line. CDTC / I-87 / Rt. 9 Integrated Corridor Management Plan Update Supervisor Veitch announced the state is looking at how to make I-87 and Rt. 9 a more efficient traveled corridor. The goal is to manage the corridor as an integrated system, permit informed travel decision making for motorists, enhance intelligent response to incidents, etc. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Ivins moved and Commissioner Wirth seconded to adjourn the meeting. Ayes – All There being no further business, Commissioner Ivins adjourned the meeting at 8:24 p.m. Page 11 of 11 City Council Meeting 5/3/11 Respectfully submitted, Lisa Ribis Clerk Approved: 5/17/11 Vote: 5 - 0 Page 12 of 11