City Council

January 6, 2015 CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS City Council Meeting City Council Room 7:00 PM CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL SALUTE TO FLAG PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD / 15 MINUTES EXECUTIVE SESSION: CONSENT AGENDA 1. Approval of 12/2/14 City Council Meeting Minutes 2. Approval of 12/31/14 City council Meeting Minutes 3. Approve Budget Transfers – Regular 4. Approve Payroll 12/31/14 $216,415.59 5. Approve Payroll 01/02/15 $231,359.59 6. Approve Payroll 12/19/14 $463,767.97 7. Approve Payroll 12/26/14 $442,772.63 8. Approve Warrant: 2014 Mid – 14MWDEC2 $804,179.86 9. Approve Warrant: 2014 Mid – 14MWDEC3 $1,451.52 10. Approve Warrant: 2014 REG – 14DEC3 $803,294.05 11. Approve Warrant: 2015 REG – 14JAN1 $85,671.85 MAYOR’S DEPARTMENT 1. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor to Sign CSEA-DPW Contract 2. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for the Mayor to Sign the National Endowment for the Arts Grant to Apply for an Arts Master Plan 3. Discussion and Vote: Stipulation of Settlement for Administrative Director of Recreation 4. Discussion: First Night Recap 5. Appointment: Community Development Citizens Advisory Committee 6. Announcement: Creative Planning Charette 7. Announcement: Martin Luther King 2015 Program ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENT 1. Appointment: Board of Assessment Review FINANCE DEPARTMENT 1. Nothing at this time. City Council Meeting 1/06/15 PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT 1. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for the Mayor to Sign Agreement Addendum #5 with GPI for the Ballston Avenue Traffic Improvement Project 2. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for the Mayor to Sign Agreement Addendum #6 with GPI – Ballston Avenue Traffic Improvement Project 3. Discussion: Engineering Update on Current Projects PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT 1. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for the Mayor to Sign Addendum with Nixon Peabody SUPERVISORS Matthew Veitch 1. 2015 Saratoga County Organizational Meeting 2. First Night Fireworks Display Peter Martin 1. Board of Supervisors Organizational Meeting and Committee Assignments 2. Saratoga County Planning and Zoning Conference ADJOURN Page 2 of 7 City Council Meeting 1/06/15 January 6, 2015 CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS City Council Meeting City Council Room PRESENT: Joanne Yepsen, Mayor John Franck, Commissioner of Accounts Michele Madigan, Commissioner of Finance Anthony Scirocco, Commissioner of DPW Christian Mathiesen, Commissioner of DPS STAFF PRESENT: Joe Ogden, Deputy Mayor Sharon Kellner-Byrnes, Deputy Commissioner, Accounts Lynn Bachner, Deputy Commissioner, Finance Tim Cogan, Deputy Commissioner, DPW Eileen Finneran, Deputy Commissioner, DPS Vincent DeLeonardis Peter Martin, Supervisor Matthew Veitch, Supervisor 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 7:03 p.m. Mayor Yepsen passed along prayers and thoughts to the Cuomo family from the City of Saratoga Springs. PUBLIC COMENT Page 3 of 7 City Council Meeting 1/06/15 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. Mayor Yepsen opened the public comment period at 7:05 p.m. Darlene McGraw of 1 South Federal Street stated she is here regarding pedestrians and vehicles. She would like to have the police take care of the serious crimes as well as the petty crimes like jay walking. Maureen Curtin of 125 Grand Avenue stated west side residential homeowners have spoken out that they do not want an expanded art district in their area. If the City receives the grant, please be sure their concerns and protections are honored. Mayor Yepsen closed the public comment period at 7:10 p.m. CONSENT AGENDA Mayor Yepsen moved and Commissioner Franck seconded to accept the consent agenda as follows: 1. Approval of 12/2/14 City Council Meeting Minutes 2. Approval of 12/31/14 City council Meeting Minutes 3. Approve Budget Transfers – Regular 4. Approve Payroll 12/31/14 $216,415.59 5. Approve Payroll 01/02/15 $231,359.59 6. Approve Payroll 12/19/14 $463,767.97 7. Approve Payroll 12/26/14 $442,772.63 8. Approve Warrant: 2014 Mid – 14MWDEC2 $804,179.86 9. Approve Warrant: 2014 Mid – 14MWDEC3 $1,451.52 10. Approve Warrant: 2014 REG – 14DEC3 $803,294.05 1. Approve Warrant: 2015 REG – 14JAN1 $85,671.85 Ayes - All MAYOR’S DEPARTMENT Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor to Sign CSEA-DPW Contract (15-001) Mayor Yepsen stated the DPW contract was originally discussed in executive session and approved by Council on October 21, 2014. Since then, minor changes were made and discussed in December. Vince DeLeonardis, city attorney, outlined the changes the Council is voting on tonight. One change is Columbus Day was inadvertently omitted from the draft; the proper insurance companies were identified and added; and the salary schedule was included. Mayor Yepsen moved and Commissioner Scirocco seconded to authorize the mayor to sign the CSEA-DPW collective bargaining agreement commencing January 1, 2013 and ending December 31, 2016 as distributed with the agenda. Ayes - All Discussion and Vote: Authorization for the Mayor to Sign the National Endowment for the Arts Grant to Apply for an Arts Master Plan (15-002) Page 4 of 7 City Council Meeting 1/06/15 Mayor Yepsen stated this application opens January 8, 2015 and closes January 15, 2015. The application is for $50,000 with a one on one match. We apply for the grant and in-kind matches do not need to be committed or identified at that time. Mayor Yepsen moved and Commissioner Franck seconded to authorize the mayor to sign an application for a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to fund an arts master plan for the City of Saratoga Springs. This pertains only to the NEA application and not to any actual contract with NEA and does not obligate any City funding. Ayes - All Discussion and Vote: Stipulation of Settlement for Administrative Director of Recreation (15-003) Mayor Yepsen stated as part of the ratified and approved CSEA City Hall contract, this position was included in their bargaining unit. This stipulation will settle that this position will be placed at grade 14 step 7 effective January 1, 2015. Mayor Yepsen moved and Commissioner Franck seconded to authorize the mayor to sign a stipulation of settlement with the CSEA City Hall bargaining unit for the position of administrative director of recreation effective January 1, 2015 as distributed to the City Council. Commissioner Scirocco asked if this position is currently funded. Mayor Yepsen advised this just brings him into the union and must follow union procedures. Ayes - All Discussion: First Night Recap Joel Reed, executive director of the Arts Council, advised there were 70 performing acts and 35 venues. They had visitors from 11 different states and hundreds of community volunteers. Three of the downtown hotels were fully booked. At midnight they started the celebration of the City’s centennial. It was a successful event and they are still working on getting numbers. Appointment: Community Development Citizens Advisory Committee Mayor Yepsen advised she is appointing Joyce Bouyea to the Community Development Citizens Advisory Committee. Joyce is a retired elementary teacher and a mother of 2. Announcement: Creative Planning Charette Mayor Yepsen announced a creative planning charette will occur tomorrow evening at 6 p.m. Susan Rivers advised the workshop is to introduce the commission to the community and work on the grant. They are looking for input on creative ways to get the ideas out and then down on paper. Announcement: Martin Luther King 2015 Program Mayor Yepsen announced the Saratoga Springs Public Library and the Committee of the MLK Program will be holding a community observance and celebration. Deirdre Ladd, member of the committee, stated there will be events throughout the entire weekend. All the events are free and open to the public. ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENT Page 5 of 7 City Council Meeting 1/06/15 Appointment: Board of Assessment Review Commissioner Franck advised the term for a member of the Board of Assessment Review is 5 years. He thanked Vickie Aldridge for the past 5 years of service and her commitment to this board. Commissioner Franck appointed Lou Schneider to the Board of Assessment Review effective immediately for the next 5 years. FINANCE DEPARTMENT Nothing at this time. PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT Discussion and Vote: Authorization for the Mayor to Sign Agreement Addendum #5 with GPI for the Ballston Avenue Traffic Improvement Project (15-004) ***Commissioner Franck recused himself from this item and the next and left the room. Commissioner Scirocco advised this addendum is to compensate our consultant for additional work performed for the project and to engage them in construction administration and inspection work. Commissioner Scirocco moved and Commissioner Mathiesen seconded to authorize the mayor to sign agreement addendum #5 with GPI for the Ballston Avenue Traffic Improvement Project in the amount of $308,100. Funding is in line H3133312 / 52221 / 75660. Ayes - All Discussion and Vote: Authorization for the Mayor to Sign Agreement Addendum #6 with GPI – Ballston Avenue Traffic Improvement Project (15-005) Commissioner Scirocco advised this is for a credit for the right of way acquisition budget. These funds were originally identified in addendum #4. Commissioner Scirocco moved and Commissioner Madigan seconded to authorize the mayor to sign agreement addendum #6 with GPI for the Ballston Avenue Traffic Improvement Project for a credit in the amount of $153,081 for the right of way acquisition. Ayes – All ***Commissioner Franck re-joined the meeting. Discussion: Engineering Update on Current Projects Tim Wales, city engineer, stated they are 2/3 of the way through the Bog Meadow project. He presented pictures of the project. Four new wells were installed; each with a monitoring well and new pump. The well pumps are connected electrically. Page 6 of 7 City Council Meeting 1/06/15 Tim also updated the Council on the Casino: the generator is virtually complete; bids for the dining room repair phase 1 is being opened this week; and the vertical lift is on order. PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT Discussion and Vote: Authorization for the Mayor to Sign Addendum with Nixon Peabody (15-006) Commissioner Mathiesen stated this addendum is necessary as the scope has expanded with the subpoena served upon the City Council by the Attorney General’s Office that relates to the purchase of the parcel on Union Avenue and the sale of the Collamer lot. The cost is $260 per hour. Funding is in line A3143014 / 54720. Commissioner Mathiesen moved and Commissioner Madigan seconded to authorize the mayor to sign the addendum. Mayor Yepsen stated she is going to be consistent with her vote last time as she not comfortable with the flat fee. Commissioner Mathiesen stated this is $260 per hour; not a flat fee. Ayes – 4 Nays – 1 (Mayor Yepsen) SUPERVISORS Matthew Veitch 2015 Saratoga County Organizational Meeting Supervisor Veitch reported the meeting was held January 2, 2015. They elected a new chairman of the board and approved appointments. He was elected chair for 2015. They appropriated $250,000 for open space and $100,000 for trails. First Night Fireworks Display Supervisor Veitch reported the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors helped to sponsor the fireworks for First Night. Peter Martin Board of Supervisors Organizational Meeting and Committee Assignments Supervisor Martin reported he was appointed to the following committees: Social Programs, Public Health, Equalization and Assessment, Racing and Gaming, and Trails. Saratoga County Planning and Zoning Conference Supervisor Martin reported the conference is scheduled for January 28th at the City Center. Registration is available on line at the County’s website. ADJOURNMENT Page 7 of 7 City Council Meeting 1/06/15 There being no further business, Mayor Yepsen adjourned the meeting at 8:01 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Lisa Ribis Clerk Approved: 1/20/15 Vote: 5 - 0 Page 8 of 7