City Council

January 1, 2014 CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS City Council Meeting Agenda 2:00 PM CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL SALUTE TO FLAG MAYOR’S DEPARTMENT 1. Appointments 2. Remarks ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENT 1. Appointments 2. Remarks FINANCE DEPARTMENT 1. Appointments 2. Remarks PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT 1. Appointments 2. Remarks PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT 1. Appointments 2. Remarks SUPERVISORS Matthew Veitch 1. Remarks Peter Martin 1. Remarks ADJOURN City Council Meeting 1/1/14 January 1, 2014 CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS City Council Meeting City Council Room PRESENT: Joanne Yepsen, Mayor Michele Madigan, Commissioner of Finance John Franck, Commissioner of Accounts Anthony Scirocco, Commissioner of DPW Christian Mathiesen, Commissioner of DPS STAFF PRESENT: Joe Ogden, Deputy Mayor Lynn Bachner, Deputy Commissioner, Finance Sharon Kellner-Byrnes, Deputy Commissioner, Accounts Tim Cogan, Deputy Commissioner, DPW Eileen Finneran, Deputy Commissioner, DPS Matthew Veitch, Supervisor Peter Martin, Supervisor Sarah Burger, City Attorney 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 Yepsen called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. PUBLIC COMENT Mayor Yepsen 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. Page 2 of 4 City Council Meeting 1/1/14 Mayor Yepsen opened the public comment period at 3:02 p.m. No one spoke. Mayor Yepsen closed the public comment period at 3:02 p.m. MAYOR’S DEPARTMENT Mayor Yepsen stated one of her messages during her campaign has been to be inclusive and transparent. The process for selection and hiring was extremely professional. She thanked her transition team for all their help. Mayor Yepsen announced the following appointments: o City Attorney will be Sarah Burger o Assistant City Attorney will be Tony Izzo o Deputy Mayor will be Joe Ogden o Executive Assistant will be Gayle LaSalle Mayor Yepsen also stated she will be making appointments to existing and new committees. These appointments will be based upon skills, talent, time, and how efficient they will be; not on political affiliation. Former Mayor Ray Watkins has agreed to work in a volunteer position as an assistant to the mayor. Mayor Yepsen advised people can expect inclusivity. The door to her office will be open and she will be starting town hall type meetings. She will increase transparency. Being proactive is what the people can expect from her as their mayor. It is also her job to listen and serve all while fighting for the future of this City. Mayor Yepsen advised the State of the City Address will be held on January 28th at the City Center. She also thanked the previous administration for their cooperation during the transition. ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENT Commissioner Franck re-appointed Sharron Kellner – Byrnes as his deputy. Since Sharon joined his department as deputy in October 2010, she has completed the Leadership Saratoga Program; opened up the lines of communications with local businesses and special event organizations to proactively assist them with obtaining the required permits; and has played a key role in maintaining a high level of professionalism of which the public has become accustomed to from his department. Commissioner Franck also thanked his family for all their sacrifices for allowing him to be Commissioner of Accounts. He also thanked the City residents for re-electing him to his fifth straight term. FINANCE DEPARTMENT Commissioner Madigan re-appointed Lynn Bachner as her deputy. She stated serving the City of Saratoga Springs as a member of the Council has been a unique and rewarding experience. She is honored to have been re-elected to a second term. The financial health of the City has greatly improved and she has increased the City reserves. As a result of the improved financial health, the City has a bond rating of AA+ which allows us to borrow at competitive rates. She has been budgeting for the present while planning for the future. Commissioner Madigan thanked her husband and children. Page 3 of 4 City Council Meeting 1/1/14 PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT Commissioner Scirocco re-appointed Tim Cogan as his deputy. He stated it has been an honor to serve the community. He thanked his family; mostly his wife, Corrine for their support. He is proud of all the DPW works for what they do for the residents. He also congratulated all other members of the Council and the Supervisors on being elected. He thanked the people of Saratoga Springs for the confidence in his ability to serve them as their Commissioner of Public Works. PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT Commissioner Mathiesen re-appointed Eileen Finneran as his deputy. He thanked his wife as without their support it would be difficult to serve in this capacity. He is actually starting his 10th year of service in city government as he started on the Planning Board. Public Safety involves the Police Department, Fire Department, Code Enforcement, Parking Enforcement; and Animal Control. We have a great City and will continue to be sure it is safe. SUPERVISORS Matthew Veitch Supervisor Veitch thanked the citizens of the City for allowing him to serve another term as supervisor. He thanked his family for their support and congratulated the Council and his new colleague Peter Martin. Supervisor Veitch stated he sees the debate on casino gambling in the forefront and hopes the conversation continues so that they can achieve the best results for the City. He looks forward to being involved. Supervisor Veitch stated on a County level, much needed revenue is coming from the sale of the nursing home and landfill. They are developing an economic strategic plan which he hopes will give the City some new ideas and strategies on how we can develop our community and attract more businesses. Peter Martin Supervisor Martin thanked the City Council, Supervisor Veitch, the officials and the community who have attended today. She gave a special thanks to his wife and daughters who supported him through his campaign. He is honored to be given the trust of the people of Saratoga Springs to represent them at the County level. This is a time of promise, opportunity, and challenge. We need to engage the citizens of the City otherwise it will be opportunities lost. He will make himself available to the citizens. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Yepsen moved and Commissioner Madigan seconded to adjourn the meeting. Ayes – All There being no further business, Mayor Yepsen adjourned the meeting at 3:41 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Lisa Ribis Page 4 of 4 City Council Meeting 1/1/14 Clerk Approved: 2/4/14 Vote: 5 - 0 Page 5 of 4