City Council

March 3, 2014 CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS City Council Pre- Agenda Meeting PRESENT: Joanne Yepsen, Mayor Michele Madigan, Commissioner of Finance Anthony Scirocco, Commissioner of DPW Christian Mathiesen, Commissioner of DPS Peter Martin, Supervisor Matthew Veitch, supervisor STAFF PRESENT: Joe Ogden, Deputy Mayor Lynn Bachner, Deputy Commissioner, Finance Sharon Kellner-Chille, Deputy Commissioner, Accounts Eileen Finneran, Deputy Commissioner, DPS Sarah Burger, City Attorney EXCUSED: John P. Franck, Commissioner of Accounts Tim Cogan, Deputy Commissioner, DPW CALL TO ORDER Mayor Yepsen called the meeting to order at 9:35 a.m. Mayor Yepsen reminded the City Council that the meeting tomorrow night will be held on the third floor of City Hall. She asked whether it could be streamed live. Commissioner Madigan said that the IT component has been taken care of and there will be an IT staff person available during the meeting. Commissioner Scirocco said that DPW is setting up the room. Commissioner Mathiesen said the room has a larger capacity; he will have police staff on hand so it will be safe. PUBLIC HEARINGS Amend Capital Budget for Police Department and Public Safety Infrastructure Project Commissioner Mathiesen said this is to amend the 2014 capital budget regarding the SSPD renovations because there is an adjustment to cost due to asbestos abatement. Amend Chapter 148-Noise Commissioner Mathiesen said that a large portion of the Fall Public Safety forum was devoted to discussion on noise, setting a decibel limit to 85 decibels as measured from the property line because there is nothing specific in the current ordinance. This amendment will add specificity to the Noise ordinance. He wants the change on the books now so that venue owners have time to adjust their venue with noise barriers or other mitigation before the season starts. Change Name of Pleasant Street Commissioner Scirocco said this is a required public hearing for a street name change. Pleasant Drive is being changed to Coach Waldron Way from Washington Street to the Westside Recreation baseball field. City Council Pre-Agenda Meeting March 3, 2014 2014 Water and Sewer Rates Commissioner Scirocco said that the City Council will be voting on the water and sewer rates tomorrow night. There is also a presentation scheduled by Bollam, Sheedy and Torrani. It will be an informative presentation. Amend Section 34-1 and 51-1 Zoning Board and Planning Board Alternates Mayor Yepsen said this provides an opportunity for the Mayor to appoint alternates to the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Planning Board to keep things flowing. Commissioner Mathiesen said it is a requirement in the ordinance. Mayor Yepsen said that is one thing we are clarifying. PRESENTATION(S) Community Development Citizen Advisory Committee Recommendations for 2014 CDBG funding Mayor Yepsen said she would be moving this out of presentations and onto her agenda. Greenbelt Trail Feasibility Study- Update to the Council Kate Maynard, Planner said that Jeff Olsen will do the presentation. The actual date is March 18 at 7 PM but the document is available on line- through a link from the City’s website. Water & Sewer Rate Study by SAX/BST Commissioner Scirocco said that both Finance and DPW are involved; a study was conducted and Public Works worked with the Finance Department to look at the rates. This presentation will be a summary of the study; they will condense it as much as possible- there is a lot of information. Mayor Yepsen asked that copies of the presentation be available to the public. Commissioner Scirocco said that copies of the power point presentation would be available to the public tomorrow night and most likely on the city’s website also. West Avenue Special Assessment district Annual Accounting as of 12-31-2013 Commissioner Madigan said that this is an annual report and the director of Finance assists with this. Matthew Jones will be making the presentation and it is generally very brief. Swearing in of New Police Officers Commissioner Mathiesen asked the Mayor if this could be the first presentation for the sake of the families and Mayor Yepsen agreed. He said that four Police Officers will be sworn in. CONSENT AGENDA 1. Approval of 2/18/14 City Council Pre-Agenda Meeting Minutes 2. Approval of 2/3/14 City Council Pre-Agenda Meeting Minutes 3. Approval of 2/4/14 City Council Meeting Minutes 4. Approve Budget Amendments (Increases) 5. Approve Budget Transfers - Regular 6. Approve Payroll 02/21/2014 $441,005.79 7. Approve Payroll 02/28/2014 $425,814.84 8. Approve Warrant: 2014 Mid – 14MWFEB2 $479,775.12 9. Approve Warrant: 2014 REG – 14MAR1 $426,759.33 No comments, no changes Page 2 of 6 City Council Pre-Agenda Meeting March 3, 2014 MAYOR’S DEPARTMENT Discussion and Vote: Mayor to sign agreement with the law firm Girvin and Ferlazzo Mayor Yepsen stated that the contract had been uploaded to Novus Agenda. The firm is being hired for labor negotiations in order to move the process along. Discussion: CDBG Funding Proposals Bradley Birge, Director of the Office of Planning and Economic Development said there is $350,000 in block grant money available. Various organizations and agencies have submitted applications for funding for a range of projects and programs and the Community Development Citizen Advisory Committee has reviewed all of the applications and determined the best way to use the CDBG funds. Tomorrow night, those recommendations will be presented to the City Council. Discussion and Vote: Resolution on Expanded Casino Gambling Commissioner Madigan commented that she has received the draft resolution. She has been receiving extreme opposition to the placement of a destination casino here. She has contacted the Gaming Commission and has not heard back from them so they are apparently not interested. She also understands that hundreds of post cards have been sent in opposition. She asked how the resolution would be used to express the amount of the people that are against having a gaming casino in Saratoga Springs New York. Mayor Yepsen offered to meet with any Commissioner to discuss their concerns; the intent is to form a collective voice. She will be taking letters and concerns to the State. Commissioner Scirocco said he likes this resolution but he has a few concerns he wishes to discuss with Mayor Yepsen. He said it is important to send a message based on public concerns and feedback which has been a resounding “No”. He wants to convey the message that if the State wants something here, they must come and talk to the City Council. Mayor Yepsen stated that the goal is to have a unanimous vote on this to strengthen the resolution and mirror the unanimity of the 2012 resolution. ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENT Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor to Sign Garage Sign Agreement with Andrew B. DeLuca, Esq. Deputy Commissioner Byrnes said this sign will be added to the signs hanging in the parking garage at church and Woodlawn. The program was started by Commissioner Franck. Award of Bid: Extension of Emergency Medical Supplies Bid to Bound Tree Deputy Commissioner Byrnes said this is out of the Department of Public Safety. There were no further comments. Award of Bid: Data Center Installation to Advanced M/E Planning Services, LLC Deputy Byrnes said this is from the Finance Department. Commissioner Michele Madigan said this bid is in connection with the moving of the server room. Award of Bid: Ambulance to VRS Deputy Byrnes said this is from the Department of Public Safety. Commissioner Mathiesen said there is nothing to add. Page 3 of 6 City Council Pre-Agenda Meeting March 3, 2014 Award of Bid: Broom Street Sweeper to Joe Johnson Equipment Commissioner Scirocco said that this is from DPW and it is a capital purchase and it is desperately needed. FINANCE DEPARTMENT Discussion and Vote: Capital Budget Amendment – Police Department Infrastructure Project Commissioner Madigan asked to move the Public Safety agenda item #2 so this agenda item can be addressed. This is a performance bond; the amendment will bring sufficient funds to cover the new contract for the Public Safety Department renovations. Discussion and Vote: Resolution for the Use of the Insurance Reserve No comments Discussion and Vote: Resolution for the Use of the Insurance Reserve Commissioner Madigan stated that this is a new reserve amount put in place to be sure that funds are available. Discussion and Vote: Budget Amendments – Insurance Reserve Commissioner Madigan stated this will bring Insurance Reserves into the budget. Discussion and Vote: Budget Transfers - Payroll No comments Discussion and Vote: Budget Transfers - Benefits No comments Discussion and Vote: Budget Transfers – Contingency Commissioner Madigan explained this is retroactive pay, 2014 budget adjustments due to the settlement of the Police contract approved in January of 2014. PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT Approval of the 2014 Water & Sewer Rates Resolution No comments. Discussion and Vote: Approve Resolution – Upstate Gaming & Economic Development Act Referendum Commissioner Scirocco stated that he will consider pulling this resolution after discussions with the Mayor. He has some concerns and issues that he may want to insert into the Mayor’s resolution; this will be determined after his meeting with Mayor Yepsen. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for the Mayor to sign agreement Addendum II for SAX/BST Commissioner Scirocco said this is in addition to the original contract. There was extensive work on the study and presentation, amounting to a $3,000 increase in the original contract. Page 4 of 6 City Council Pre-Agenda Meeting March 3, 2014 Discussion and Vote: Change Pleasant Street to Coach Waldron Way from Washington Street to the Westside Rec Previously discussed Discussion and Vote: Sick Bank Request This is a sick-bank request for an employee of the Department of Public Works; the request is to remove from the employees’ sick time bank an amount of time that matches the sick time the employee actually had and used. Discussion and Vote: Waive Departmental Fee – Music Hall Commissioner Scirocco said this is in regards to Code Blue; there are costs involved. This request is to waive the fee for the use of the Music Hall. He noted that the cost of having a DPW staff person available cannot be waived and the Code Blue Committee had to pay those costs, but the room fee can be waived. Mayor Yepsen stated that finances for Code Blue were raised by a steering committee; they raised more funds this season than Albany did for their Code Blue program in a total of four years. Mayor Yepsen said this enabled Saratoga’s code Blue Committee to hire a part time director. She emphasized that all funds are accepted and paid out from the Shelters of Saratoga that has a 501-C-3 status. No money is coming from City coffers because the City is not a charitable organization. Commissioner Scirocco commented that the volunteers were courteous and it was a good week with everything running smoothly. Mayor Yepsen said the program is now back at St. Peter’s for the rest of the season. PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT Discussion and Vote: Ordinance to amend chapter 148 of the City Code entitled “Noise” Previously discussed Discussion and Vote: Amend Capital Budget Commissioner Mathiesen stated this is in regards to the Public Safety Department renovations and the change in contractors. It is a $2000 increase. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for the Mayor to sign agreement with Empire Ambulance Commissioner Mathiesen explained that the Empire Ambulance Company rents space from the City in the West Avenue Fire House and they serve as a back-up ambulance service to the City. This is a renewal of their contract. Discussion and Vote: Appointment Dr. Timothy Brooks as City Health Officer Commissioner Mathiesen said that Dr. Paul O’Kosky served as the City’s Health Officer for years and he retired from that position effective 2/28/2014. He is well qualified for the position. The intention is to appoint Dr. Timothy Brooks to the position of City Health Officer. He will be wearing two hats because he also serves as Medical Director for the SS Fire Department. He thanked Dr. O’Kosky for his service. Set Public Hearing: Amend Capital Budget for Public Safety Infrastructure Project This refers to the change in the prime contractor for the renovations The Company that bonded theproject will be making up the difference so the funds involved are from the bonding company and will not cost the City more money. Page 5 of 6 City Council Pre-Agenda Meeting March 3, 2014 Announcement: Department of Public Safety Forum on March 13, 2014 at 7 pm in the City Council room. Commissioner Mathiesen said that at this forum, Maggie Fronk will speak about violence against women. The Saratoga Springs Police Department will report on Crime in the Community. Other presentations to be made and discussed include the DPS annual report, Code Enforcement and Traffic Maintenance reports. SUPERVISORS MATTHEW VEITCH 1. Update: Leadership Saratoga 2. Update: February County Board Meeting Report No comments. Supervisor Veitch added a third item to his agenda. 3. Coordination of Not-for-Profits in Saratoga County Supervisor Veitch said this will be held at the Bethesda Episcopal Church on Saturday. PETER MARTIN 1. Report: Veteran Affairs 2. Update: Social Programs 3. Report: Public Health 4. Report: County Sewer District 5. Update: Agricultural District No comments. ADJOURN Mayor Yepsen adjourned the meeting at 10:07 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Nancy Wagner Clerk Approved: Page 6 of 6