City Council

May 19, 2014 CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS City Council Pre- Agenda Meeting PRESENT: Joanne Yepsen, Mayor Michele Madigan, Commissioner of Finance John P. Franck, Commissioner of Accounts Anthony Scirocco, Commissioner of DPW Christian Mathiesen, Commissioner of DPS Peter Martin, Supervisor STAFF PRESENT: Joe Ogden, Deputy Mayor Lynn Bachner, Deputy Commissioner, Finance Sharon Kellner-Byrnes, Deputy Commissioner, Accounts Eileen Finneran, Deputy Commissioner, DPS Sarah Burger, City Attorney EXCUSED: Tim Cogan, Deputy Commissioner, DPW Matthew Veitch, Supervisor CALL TO ORDER Mayor Yepsen called the meeting to order at 9:35 a.m. PRESENTATION Update on Waterfront Park Development Progress Mayor Yepsen advised that Mike Ingersoll from the LA Group will be here to present the current status on this project. CONSENT AGENDA 1. Approval of 5/5/14 City Council Pre-Agenda Meeting Minutes 2. Approve Budget Amendments (Increases) 3. Approve Budget Transfers – Regular 4. Approve Payroll 05/09/14 $468,594.61 5. Approve Payroll 05/16/14 $395,446.80 6. Approve Warrant: 2014 Mid – 14MWMAY1 $126,507.94 7. Approve Warrant: 2014 REG – 14MAY2 $772,261.94 No comments. MAYOR’S DEPARTMENT Mayor’s Desk City Council Pre-Agenda Meeting May 19, 2014 Mayor Yepsen stated she has several items to cover under this area. Appointment: Civil Service Commission No comments. Discussion: Urban Forestry Executive Summary Mayor Yepsen stated this has been produced since the Council voted on the Urban Forestry Master Plan. Discussion and Vote: Accept Donations for the Recreation Department John Hirliman of the Recreation Department advised there are 2 donations are for Camp Saradac. Announcement: Saratoga Springs Recreation Department Programs & Registration No comments. Discussion and Vote: Approval for the Mayor to Sign the 2014 Transportation Agreement for Camp Saradac John Hirliman of the Recreation Department advised this agreement is with the Saratoga Springs School District. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for the Mayor to Sign an Agreement for a Conservation Easement on Kaydeross Avenue Brad Birge of the Planning Department advised this is a 4 lot subdivision within the City’s conservation development district. The City will be retaining a conservation easement on these properties. . Announcement: Saratoga Bike Borrow Week Mayor Yepsen stated this is a one week trial. We are starting with one location. Brad Birge of Planning and Economic Development advised this is funded by CDTC and the bikes are being lent by the SUNY Buffalo. Announcement: Creation of a Centennial Committee for 2015 Mayor Yepsen advised Mary Lou Whitney and John Hendrickson are the honorary chairs. Announcement: Women’s Veteran Retreat – June 5th – 8th Mayor Yepsen advised this will be hosted in the City. Announcement: Next Town Hall Meeting – June 18th at Longfellows Mayor Yepsen advised the next Town Hall meeting will be June 18th at Longfellows at 6:30 p.m. ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENT Announcement: Grievance day – May 27, 2014 No comments. Page 2 of 5 City Council Pre-Agenda Meeting May 19, 2014 FINANCE DEPARTMENT Discussion and Vote: Corrective Deed - 588 NYS Route 29 )Original 1,000 Year Deed) Commissioner Madigan advised this was a 1,000 year deed. The title company requires this be removed from the deed. Discussion and Vote: Local Law No. 2 of 2014 – A Local Law to Amend Section 4.1.3 of the City Charter Entitled Tax Penalties Commissioner Madigan advised we are within legal rights to impose these tax penalties according to the memo from assistant city attorney, Tony Izzo. Commissioner Scirocco stated collecting from the Town of Milton has been a problem for a while. We can’t do anything there except to shut the water off. Commissioner Franck stated his concern is this over 700% higher than prime interest rate. He felt 4% per quarter would be much better. He can’t support it because in 1983 they checked the prime interest rate and it was 16.9%; therefore, they came up with 16%. The case law presented by Tony Izzo didn’t bring in consumer debt; it was a different argument. Commissioner Scirocco stated the way to avoid this is to pay your bill. When they don’t they have to pass those fees on to the users in the City. Commissioner Madigan stated it is re-levied and goes with the property and becomes a tax penalty. The recommendation is not 4%, it will be 6% per quarter. Commissioner Franck stated you are not going to levy the Town of Milton’s property. Commissioner Madigan stated they will go to collections. Commissioner Franck stated he believes this number is out of whack. Commissioner Madigan stated this is more than fair for people who do not pay their bills. Discussion and Vote: Budget Transfers – Payroll No comments. Discussion and Vote: Budget Transfers – Contingency No comments. Discussion and Vote: Budget amendments – Benefits No comments. PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT Discussion and Vote: Accept Donation – Bench - Brown Family No comments. Discussion and Vote: Accept Donation – Bench – The Dellis Family No comments. Page 3 of 5 City Council Pre-Agenda Meeting May 19, 2014 Discussion and Vote: Accept Donation – Bench – The Families of Goodrich, VanDeusen, Mackey, and Lee No comments. Discussion and Vote: Accept Donation – Bench – Eric LeGuelaff No comments. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for the Mayor to Sign a Sidewalk Agreement – Scott Peterson No comments. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for the Mayor to Sign a Sidewalk Agreement – The Adirondack Trust Company No comments. Announcement: Paving Schedule No comments. Set Public Hearing: To Establish the Weibel Avenue Landfill Gas Project in the 2014 Capital budget Program Tim Wales, city engineer, stated the City was awarded a DEC grant in the ‘90s. The City spent about $450,000. The City put in new chillers at the ice rink and the emergency generator out there is no longer needed. The DEC sent a letter stating they want their money back because we didn’t use the project for the full term. They also gave us an option to put in a flare as they want us to do something with the gas. There is $300,000 left of the grant to do that work. Commissioner Madigan asked how much money is the City in danger of losing. Tim Wales advised if we don’t do anything we could have to pay back $450,000. Commissioner Madigan stated she was told $60,000. Tim Wales stated he is talking about just the grant money and what DEC wants back. The proposal from Wehran Energy is for $60,000 just to help with the gas migration issues and design. PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor to Sign Agreement with Martin Environmental Service, Inc. Commissioner Mathiesen advised this agreement is for the West Avenue Fire Station for the removal of asbestos floor tiles. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor to Sign Agreement with Alpine Environmental Services, Inc. Commissioner Mathiesen advised this agreement is for the monitoring of air quality during the tile removal. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor to Sign Extension of Lease Agreement with Saratoga Historic Properties Page 4 of 5 City Council Pre-Agenda Meeting May 19, 2014 Commissioner Mathiesen advised they need to extend the lease for the Public Safety Department for 3 additional months. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor to Sign Change Order #6 to Hoosick Valley Contractors, Inc. Commissioner Mathiesen advised this change order is for the Police Department and Department of Public Safety renovation project to replace 5 additional double hung windows for $7,950.00. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor to Sign Change Order #7 to Hoosick Valley Contractors, Inc. Commissioner Mathiesen advised this change order is for the Police Department and Department of Public Safety renovation project to remove portions of the ceiling to access the sprinkler piping in the amount of $2,444.00. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor to Sign Change Order #8 to Hoosick Valley Contractors, Inc. Commissioner Mathiesen advised this change order is for the Police Department and Department of Public Safety renovation project in the Police Department and over the investigators’ room in the amount of $4,197. Commissioner Mathiesen advised he will be adding the following to his agenda: Discussion: Darryl Mount; and Discussion: Article in Post Start on Saturday, May 17th. SUPERVISORS Matthew Veitch Nothing at this time. Peter Martin 1. Economic Development – Saratoga County Prosperity Partnership, LDC 2. Board of Supervisor’s Meeting ADJOURN Mayor Yepsen adjourned the meeting at 10:18 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Lisa Ribis Clerk Approved: 6/17/14 Vote: 4 - 0 Page 5 of 5