City Council

November 3, 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 STAFF PRESENT: Joe Ogden, Deputy Mayor Lynn Bachner, Deputy Commissioner, Finance Sharon Kellner-Byrnes, Deputy Commissioner, Accounts Eileen Finneran, Deputy Commissioner, DPS Vincent DeLeonardis, city attorney Peter Martin, Supervisor EXCUSED: Tim Cogan, Deputy Commissioner, DPW Matthew Veitch, Supervisor CALL TO ORDER Mayor Yepsen called the meeting to order at 9:35 a.m. PUBLIC HEARING Mayor Yepsen advised there are 2 public hearings: 2015 Comprehensive Budget and Amendment to Franchise Agreement. PRESENTATION Ryan-Biggs – Update on the Canfield Casino Ceiling Commissioner Scirocco explained Ryan-Biggs did an assessment of the Casino. Tim Wales, city engineer, explained short term work was done and now the long term stabilization needs to be done. CONSENT AGENDA 1. Approval of 10/14/14 Budget Workshop Meeting Minutes 2. Approval of 10/16/14 Budget Workshop Meeting Minutes 3. Approval of 10/21/14 City Council Meeting Minutes 4. Approval of 10/9/14 Budget Workshop Meeting Minutes 5. Approve Budget Amendments (Increases) 6. Approve Budget Transfers - Regular 7. Approve Payroll 10/24/14 $416,557.87 8. Approve Payroll 10/31/14 $423,732.89 9. Approve Warrant: 2014 Mid – 14MWOCT3: $512,378.56 City Council Pre-Agenda Meeting November 3, 2014 10. Approve Warrant: 2014 REG – 14NOV1: $396,728.95 No comments. MAYOR’S DEPARTMENT Announcement: $1.6 Million for Geyser Road Trail from Governor Cuomo No comments. Announcement: Code Blue Update No comments. Announcement: Presentation by the US Environmental Protection Agency November 18th Mayor Yepsen advised this presentation will happen at the next Council meeting. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor to Sign NYS OPRHP Grant for Historic Preservation Speaker Series Brad Birge of the Planning Department advised this is a partnership with the Preservation Foundation for a $12,000 grant with our match being in-kind services. Mayor Yepsen added an item to her agenda: Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor to Sign contract with Hodgson-Russ for Legal Services. ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENT Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor to Sign Contract with Direct Energy for Natural Gas Commissioner Franck stated this is the natural gas contract, similar to the contract for electric. The final rate will be presented tonight. FINANCE DEPARTMENT Discussion: 3rd Quarter Financial Report No comments. Discussion and Vote: Assignment Refund of Prior Year Taxes Commissioner Madigan advised both city attorneys have assisted with the original draft of the resolution. Several requests were responded to this weekend and she will be uploading a revised resolution after this meeting. Discussion and Vote: 2013 Excess Fund Balance Recommendations Commissioner Madigan advised there is $1,752,069 in excess. On October 7th she provided recommendations to the Council for the use of the excess. The recommendations have changed slightly with the concerns with the assignment of prior year taxes. She will present the changes tonight. Page 2 of 4 City Council Pre-Agenda Meeting November 3, 2014 Discussion and Vote: 2015 Budget Commissioner Madigan advised the 6th budget workshop was completed on Thursday. This will be presented tonight for vote with amendments. Discussion and Vote: Health Care Plan Rate Renewals Commissioner Madigan advised there are 4 insurance companies had their rates approved by the state. Discussion and Vote: Bond Resolution – Ballston Avenue Traffic Improvements No comments. Discussion and Vote: Capital Budget Amendment – Ballston Avenue Traffic Improvements No comments. Discussion and Vote: Budget Transfers – Payroll No comments. Discussion and Vote: Budget Transfers – Benefits No comments. Announcement: Reciprocal Deposit Program Commissioner Madigan advised this is a new program which will result in increased earnings. PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT Discussion and Vote: Authorization for the Mayor to Sign a Renewal, Extension, and Modification of Agreement Saratoga Historic Properties Commissioner Scirocco advised this agreement is with the owners of the Collamer Building for the use of the parking space behind City Hall. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for the Mayor to Sign Agreement with Ryan Biggs Associates PC for the Stabilization Phase II Canfield Casino Ceiling Debbie LeBreche advised this is the permanent repair. The repairs were broken into 3 phases; this one is for $54,000. The second phase will be done in April – July 2015. PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT Discussion and Vote: Authorization for the Mayor to Sign Change Order #22 with Hoosick Valley Contractors Commissioner Mathiesen advised the amount of the change order is $3,263 and is the last change order with this project. Announcement: Report on Fire 101 Event Held on October 25, 2014 No comments. Page 3 of 4 City Council Pre-Agenda Meeting November 3, 2014 SUPERVISORS Peter Martin 1. Veteran’s Affairs 2. County Fire Training EXECUTIVE SESSION Mayor Yepsen moved and Commissioner Mathiesen seconded to adjourn to executive session at 9:54 a.m. to discuss Article 7 issues. Ayes – All Council returned from executive session at 10:22 a.m. Council will discuss resolution for Article 7 cases during the City Council meeting tonight. ADJOURN Mayor Yepsen adjourned the meeting at 10:22 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Lisa Ribis Clerk Approved: 11/18/14 Vote: 5 - 0 Page 4 of 4