City Council

January 1, 2012 CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS City Council Meeting Agenda 1:00 PM CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL SALUTE TO FLAG PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD / 15 MINUTES PRESENTATION(S) EXECUTIVE SESSION CONSENT AGENDA 1. Nothing MAYOR’S DEPARTMENT 1. Appointments 2. Remarks ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENT 1. Appointment 2. Remarks FINANCE DEPARTMENT 1. Appointment 2. Remarks PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT 1. Appointment 2. Remarks PUBLIC SAFETY 1. Appointment 2. Remarks SUPERVISORS Joanne Yepsen 1. Remarks Matthew Veitch 1. Remarks ADJOURN City Council Meeting 1/1/12 January 1, 2012 CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS City Council Meeting Saratoga Springs City Center PRESENT: Scott Johnson, Mayor Michele Madigan, Commissioner of Finance John Franck, Commissioner of Accounts Anthony Scirocco, Commissioner of DPW Christian Mathiesen, Commissioner of DPS Matthew Veitch, Supervisor Joanne Yepsen, Supervisor STAFF PRESENT: Shauna Sutton, Deputy Mayor Lynn Bachner, Deputy Commissioner, Finance Sharon Kellner-Chille, Deputy Commissioner, Accounts Tim Cogan, Deputy Commissioner, DPW Eileen Finneran, Deputy Commissioner, DPS Master of Ceremonies, Former Mayor Ken Klotz welcomed everyone to the Inauguration of the 2012 - 2013 Saratoga Springs City Council and Supervisors. He advised this is the 48th Inauguration for the City of Saratoga Springs. He thanked the outgoing commissioners, current commissioners and the mayor for their service to the City. The Honorable Judge Jeffrey Waite swore in the mayor, commissioners, and supervisors. Mayor Johnson thanked Mayor Klotz for presiding over the ceremonies. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order at 1:15 p.m. PUBLIC COMENT Page 2 of 4 City Council Meeting 1/1/12 Mayor Johnson opened the public comment period at 1:15 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. MAYOR’S DEPARTMENT Mayor Johnson stated he has had the pleasure to work with a dedicated group of individuals for the past 4 years. He is pleased to announce the following appointments: Shauna Sutton as Deputy Mayor, Joe Scala as City Attorney, Tony Izzo as Assistant City Attorney, and Therese Connelly as his Executive Assistant. Mayor Johnson also stated he is looking forward to working with the new Council and congratulated all of them. He is sure they will be able to look at the issues and solve them by putting political differences aside and working towards a common goal. He thanked community for re-electing him and thanked his family; wife, son, and mom for their support. ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENT Commissioner Franck stated he was blessed to have Sharon Kellner-Chille as his deputy and re-appointed her as the Deputy of Accounts. He also congratulated the new members of the Council and told them to cherish the oath they just took; there is no greater city to serve than ours. He went on to congratulate the rest of the Council and thanked his wife, daughter, son, sister and mother-in-law for all their support. Commissioner Franck gave a very special thank you to his mom; as she is the one who made him who he is today. FINANCE DEPARTMENT Commissioner Madigan appointed Lynn Bachner as Deputy Commissioner of Finance. She thanked her husband, children, and mom for their support in addition to the community for electing her. She stated her plan is to provide a clearer and more transparent communication of the City’s finances and plan for future needs of the City. She advised the public not to hesitate to contact here if there is anything they wish to discuss. PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT Commissioner Scirocco stated to get respect you need to give respect in return. He is pleased to re- appoint Tim Cogan as Deputy Commissioner of Public Works. Tim comes with over 30 years experience in DPW. Commissioner Scirocco went on to thank his family and the community for re-electing him. He also thanked the employees of the City as they have proven that even in the toughest of times they can do more with less. He also congratulated the new commissioners, the existing Council, and the supervisors on their re-election. Page 3 of 4 City Council Meeting 1/1/12 Commissioner Scirocco continued to advise of the projects the Department of Public Works is working on such as a back-up water source, the water treatment plant, etc. He also thanked out-going Commissioners Wirth and Ivins for their tireless efforts. PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT Commissioner Mathiesen appointed Eileen Finneran as Deputy of the Department of Public Safety. He said he has known her for some time as they worked together on the Zoning Board of Appeals and she managed his campaign. Commissioner Mathiesen thanked all his family for their support. He stated the local elections are an important part of democracy. He will carry out his duties in an open and transparent manner towards the goal of what is best for the community. SUPERVISORS Joanne Yepsen Supervisor Yepsen thanked Mayor Johnson for working with her to move important issues forward. She thanked her family and the entire community and congratulated all her colleagues. Supervisor Yepsen stated the County realized in 2011 they are not immune to what the rest of the state and country has been going through. Last year was a year of foreclosures and she looks forward to working for a better Saratoga. There is a lot of work to be done so the political party name tags have to come off. She reminded the community that the Guardian House officially opened last year and she will be looking deeply for more efficiency of City programs. She pledged to be accessible and accountable and is proud to continue to serve this City. Matthew Veitch Supervisor Veitch thanked everyone for coming out today. He thanked his family; wife, kids, mom, and dad for all their support. He stated he is looking forward to working with the new members of the Council. Two years ago the City had lay-offs and budget cuts; now we have the VLT money back and the surplus is healthy. Supervisor Veitch also stated the County has some internal issues with inefficiencies and antiquated equipment. They are also working on revising/redesigning the employees’ benefit package. He pledged to work hard on whatever committees he is appointed to by the County and focus his efforts on fixing problems. He has truly enjoyed his time as Supervisor for the City of Saratoga Springs. Mayor Johnson stated what he is hearing today is a common theme. The names and players may have changed but the theme is working towards a common goal. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Johnson moved and Commissioner Madigan seconded to adjourn the meeting. Ayes – All There being no further business, Mayor Johnson adjourned the meeting at 1:47 p.m. Page 4 of 4 City Council Meeting 1/1/12 Respectfully submitted, Lisa Ribis Clerk Approved: 1/17/12 Vote: 5 - 0 Page 5 of 4