City Council

July 1, 2013 CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS City Council Pre- Agenda Meeting PRESENT: Scott Johnson, Mayor Michele Madigan, Commissioner of Finance John Franck, Commissioner of Accounts Christian Mathiesen, Commissioner of DPS Anthony Scirocco, Commissioner of DPW Joanne Yepsen, Supervisor 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: Matthew Veitch, Supervisor Tim Cogan, Deputy Commissioner, DPW CALL TO ORDER Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order at 9:37 a.m. PUBLIC HEARINGS Local Law #1 of 2013 to Amend Chapter 215 of City Code - Taxicabs Commissioner Franck advised this is the first of 2 public hearings. This will be put up to vote at the next City Council meeting. EXECUTIVE SESSION There is no Executive Session scheduled. CONSENT AGENDA 1. Approval of 5/21/13 City Council Minutes 2. Approval of 6/17/13 Pre-Agenda Meeting Minutes 3. Approval of 6/18/13 City Council Minutes 4. Approval of 6/4/13 City Council Minutes 5. Approve Budget Amendments (Increases) 6. Approve Budget Transfers - Regular 7. Approve Payroll 06/21/13 $405,438.40 8. Approve Payroll 06/28/13 $439,848.36 9. Approve Warrant: 2013 Mid – 13MWJUN2 $3,470,610.14 10. Approve Warrant: 2013 Reg – 13JUL1 $244,556.88 City Council Preliminary Agenda Meeting July 1, 2013 Commissioner Madigan advised there are 2 large payments on this consent agenda because the second quarter 2013 sewer in the amount of $679,000 and the second quarter 2013 tax collection in the amount of $2,139,000. MAYOR’S DEPARTMENT Discussion and Vote: Workforce Community Partnership for 26 Cherry Street and 195 Division Street Mayor Johnson stated these 2 parcels were part of the in-rem and set aside to not be auctioned off. Brad Birge of the Planning Department advised the process began with the in-rem proceedings. They investigated if these properties were viable to advance the City’s affordable housing. This will be for first time buyers with income of $30,000 - $46,000 per year. The property will go to Habitat for Humanity and they will take over the construction in a community partnership fashion. Mayor Johnson stated they have been working with Commissioner Madigan and the city attorney has drafted a proposed contract between the City and Habitat for Humanity. The contract will be brought back at the next meeting. The City will not have any oversight or roll in the first homeowner or subsequent owners. Commissioner Franck inquired as to what will happen with insurance; will they take it over from a liability standpoint. Mayor Johnson stated they will. Once they sign the contract they will take over all risk and liability. Commissioner Franck inquired where the proceeds will go. Mayor Johnson advised the proceeds go back to Habitat for Humanity to cover their costs; they don’t make a profit. Commissioner Madigan stated she believes this should be a presentation. Finance has been very involved and brought forward 3 of the motions. Mayor Johnson stated he believes this item belongs where it is now as this idea was started through the Planning Department. Through proper protocol, it should be where it is. He plans to recognize Commissioner Madigan’s efforts. Commissioner Madigan stated if finance had not stayed involved in this project she believes it would not have happened. A vote was taken and Mayor Johnson and Commissioner Scirocco both voted nay to investigate the process to look at partnering with Habitat for Humanity. Commissioner Mathiesen confirmed the plan is to develop the Division Street property first. Brad stated that was correct. Discussion and Vote: Merit for Review of Saratoga Hospital PUD and Referral for Concurrent Advisory Opinions to Design Review Commission, City and County Planning Boards Kate Maynard of the Planning Department advised the Council received a cover memo which was an overview of the project. This project includes the demolition of the Cramer House, the construction of a 33,900 square foot surgical suite addition, and to remove the property at 238 Church Street from the PUD. This is before the Council for consideration of merit for further review. Mayor Johnson advised the reason for the concurrent review is he has received a call from the County indicating their preference that it be concurrent. Page 2 of 6 City Council Preliminary Agenda Meeting July 1, 2013 Commissioner Mathiesen asked what the zoning will be for the parcel being removed from the PUD. Kate advised that is a question the Planning Board takes up. Set Public Hearing: and Refer to County Planning Board for Advisory Opinion on the Proposed Zoning Map Amendment at 3368 South Broadway Kate Maynard advised the Planning Board and DRC have returned advisory opinions. The next step is to send this to the County for their opinion and set a public hearing. Discussion and Vote: Resolution Regarding Notices of Claim Matt Dorsey, city attorney, advised there has been a change in the law to allow people who want to file a claim against the city to now file it with the Secretary of State rather than with the city attorney. We just need to advise the state who we want them to send it to at the City. Commissioner Franck asked how long it will take for the City to receive notification from the state. Matt advised we need to receive it within 10 days. Commissioner Franck asked if this is something we have to do. Matt advised if we don’t, then we lose the ability to receive half the filing fee or $125 per claim. Commissioner Franck asked if article 7s were going to be subject to this or will they same as they are. Matt advised they are not. Discussion and Vote: Military Leave Policy Carl Gonzalez of the Human Resource Department advised this is a new policy to ensure we are consistent with federal and state law for eligible employees ordered to leave. Most of the employees who are part of the military are in the Public Safety Department. This policy has been reviewed by the city attorney. Commissioner Madigan confirmed this doesn’t alter the resolution the Council passed February 5, 2013. Carl advised it does not. Discussion and Vote: Smoking Policy Carl Gonzalez advised this is a revision of the existing policy. This policy has been reviewed and discussed at Safety Committee. The policy is really about city employees and where they are prohibited to smoke. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor to Sign Agreement with Sonny and Perley for Summer Concert Series No comments. Discussion and Vote: Appointment to City Center Authority Mayor Johnson advised he will be recommending the appointment of Charlie Wheeler. Page 3 of 6 City Council Preliminary Agenda Meeting July 1, 2013 ACCOUNT’S DEPARTMENT Award of Bid: Lake Avenue Fire House Traffic Signal Replacement to Stilsing Electric, LLC No comment. Award of Bid: Rescind Award of Bid and Re-Award Bid for Used Vehicles and Equipment to Ed Loya No comment. Award of Bid: Tennis and Basketball Court Resurfacing to Copeland Coating Co., Inc. No comments. FINANCE DEPARTMENT Discussion: City Housing Initiatives Commissioner Madigan advised she will be removing this item from the agenda. Discussion and Vote: Budget Transfers – Payroll No comments. Discussion and Vote: Budget Transfers – Benefits No comments. Discussion and Vote: Budget Amendment – Additional Police Officers Commissioner Madigan advised we have received the VLT money. This is to amend the budget to add the additional police officers in the amount of $59,604.00; which will cover salaries, social security, retirement, clothing and equipment for one half of the year. Announcement: Secret Library – Historical Documents No comments. Announcement: Retirement Commissioner Madigan announced Mike King retired as receiver of taxes. PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT Discussion and Vote: Authorization for the Mayor to Sign an Agreement for the Display of the En Point Sculpture at Pink Paddock No comments. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for the Mayor to Sign an Agreement with Saratoga Youth Hockey No comments. Discussion and Vote: Donation Hockey Boards to Corinth Youth Hockey Page 4 of 6 City Council Preliminary Agenda Meeting July 1, 2013 Commissioner Scirocco stated the City has no use for the hockey boards. It will cost more to dismantle and dispose of them. Discussion: DPW Equipment Commissioner Scirocco advised they are having a hard time keeping 2 sweepers on the road. ** Commissioner Scirocco added an item to his agenda: Donation of 2 benches for the Waterfront Park. PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor to Sign Agreement with NYRA for the 2013 Racing Season Commissioner Mathiesen advised this is an annual agreement for 39 days of the track. NYRA will be paying the City $82,600 for these services. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for the Mayor to Sign Agreement with Saratoga School District for the School Resource Officer for the 2013 – 2014 School Year Commissioner Mathiesen advised this is an annual agreement where the school pays 65% of the salary and the City pays 35%. Commissioner Madigan asked if this person visits all the schools. Commissioner Mathiesen advised this person is stationed just at the high school all day. Discussion: Clarification of Civil Service Title in the Public Safety Department Commissioner Mathiesen advised the correct title is Part Time Laborer, Public Safety Traffic Control sub- department. Commissioner Madigan advised this item needs to be discussion and vote. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor to Sign Contract with Stilsing Electric for the Lake Avenue Fire House Traffic Signal Replacement Chief Williams explained there will be upgrades to the traffic lights in front of Station 1 with new technology and sensors. The existing light has been there for over 30 years. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor to Sign Contract with Greenman-Pedersen for the Broadway Corridor Traffic Study Commissioner Mathiesen advised this will help to address traffic problems on Broadway such as the left hand turn at Broadway and Lake. Discussion: Arrest on June 27, 2013 Commissioner Mathiesen stated this relates to the robbery at CVS. SUPERVISORS JOANNE YEPSEN Page 5 of 6 City Council Preliminary Agenda Meeting July 1, 2013 Supervisor Yepsen added the following to her agenda: Maplewood Manor Update, Equalization & Assessment Committee Update, and the Saratoga County Fair. MATTHEW VEITCH Nothing at this time. ADJOURN Mayor Scott Johnson adjourned the meeting at 10:18 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Lisa Ribis Secretary to City Council Approved: 7/16/13 Vote: 5 - 0 Page 6 of 6