City Council

June 11, 2013 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 MAYOR’S DEPARTMENT 1. Discussion and Vote: Consent to New York State Franchise Oversight Board as Lead Agency for Saratoga Race Course Improvements ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENT 1. None FINANCE DEPARTMENT 1. None PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT 1. None PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT 1. None SUPERVISORS 1. None ADJOURN City Council Meeting 6/11/13 June 11, 2013 CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS City Council Meeting City Council Room PRESENT: Scott Johnson, Mayor Michele Madigan, Commissioner of Finance Anthony Scirocco, Commissioner of DPW Christian Mathiesen, Commissioner of DPS STAFF PRESENT: Shauna Sutton, Deputy Mayor Lynn Bachner, Deputy Commissioner, Finance Sharon Kellner-Byrnes, Deputy Commissioner, Accounts Eileen Finneran, Deputy Commissioner, DPS Matt Dorsey, City Attorney EXCUSED: John Franck, Commissioner of Accounts Tim Cogan, Deputy Commissioner, DPW Matthew Veitch, Supervisor Joanne Yepsen, Supervisor 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 Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order at 1:03 p.m. PUBLIC COMENT 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. Mayor Johnson opened the public comment period at 1:04 p.m. No one spoke. Mayor Johnson closed the public comment period at 1:04 p.m. MAYOR’S DEPARTMENT Page 2 of 4 City Council Meeting 6/11/13 Discussion and Vote: Consent to New York State Franchise Oversight Board as Lead Agency for Saratoga Race Course Improvements Mayor Johnson advised this special City Council meeting was called as this item came up through the New York State Oversight Franchise Board and a response is due back to them before our next meeting. The mayor received the request to consent to let the state be the lead agency for SEQRA. This is a necessary part of the process. They are the agency that has the most logical involvement. He consulted with our city attorney to see if the City would be lead agency in any way. The City is not involved in that way but would be an involved agency and will be informed as matters progress. Mayor Johnson read the following resolution into the record: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS, NEW YORK Mayor Scott T. Johnson Commissioner Michele Madigan Commissioner Anthony Scirocco Commissioner Christian Mathiesen Commissioner John P. Franck WHEREAS, the New York Racing Association (NYRA) is establishing a comprehensive development plan to preserve, restore, and enhance the approximately 330 acre historic Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York (hereinafter “the Saratoga Racecourse Development Plan”), and WHEREAS, the Saratoga Racecourse Development Plan is expected to include the construction of new buildings, parking areas, pedestrian facilities, horse paths, planted areas and the renovation of existing buildings and facilities, and the removal of certain other structures over the course of approximately ten years, and WHEREAS, the New York Stated Franchise Oversight Board intends to declare itself lead agency pursuant to the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) review of the Saratoga Racecourse Development Plan, and WHEREAS, the New York State Pari-Mutuel Wagering and Breeding Law section 212(6) established the Saratoga Community Advisory Board for the Saratoga Race Course to act as a local resource to the New York State Franchise Oversight Board, NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS RESOLVED, that as an involved agency pursuant to SEQRA, the City Council of the City of Saratoga Springs does hereby consent to the New York State Franchise Oversight Board acting as lead agency pursuant to SEQRA regarding the review of the Saratoga Racecourse Development Plan, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that as an involved agency, the City Council of the City of Saratoga Springs intends to participate in the SEQRA review of the Saratoga Racecourse Development Plan and anticipates strong public interest in the process given the importance of the Saratoga Race Course to the economy, culture, and vibrancy of the City of Saratoga Springs, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Saratoga Springs recommends that it and the Saratoga Community Advisory Board for the Saratoga Racecourse be active participants in the SEQRA review of the Saratoga Racecourse Development Plan. Mayor Johnson moved and Commissioner Madigan seconded to adopt the resolution as recited. Ayes – All Mayor Johnson stated we all know how important the track is to our history and economy. We plan to be very active in this regard. Matt Dorsey, city attorney advised the Saratoga Community Advisory Board will be having a meeting tonight at the City Center to talk about the plans. The public can attend to learn more about this. He also had conversations with NYRA’s counsel and the FOB’s counsel regarding the SEQRA process. The FOB will declare itself as lead agency and there will be an initial scoping session on July 11th. It is expected the scope will be finalize in August and an EIS will be forthcoming in January 2014 with public hearings to follow that. **Mayor Johnson introduced Marilyn Rivers, director of risk and safety, to inform the Council and public of a tropical storm that is problematic for our area. We will need to prepare from a community perspective for that storm. ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENT Page 3 of 4 City Council Meeting 6/11/13 None. FINANCE DEPARTMENT None. PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT None. PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT None. SUPERVISORS None. 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 1:12 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Lisa Ribis Clerk Approved: 6/18/13 Vote: 5 - 0 Page 4 of 4