City Council

May 4, 2015 CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS City Council Pre- Agenda Meeting 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 Maire Masterson, Deputy Commissioner, Accounts Eileen Finneran, Deputy Commissioner, DPS Vince DeLeonardis, City Attorney Matthew Vetch, Supervisor EXCUSED: Tim Cogan, Deputy Commissioner, DPW Peter Martin, Supervisor CALL TO ORDER Mayor Yepsen called the meeting to order at 9:41 a.m. PUBLIC HEARING New City Code Chapter #205 – Street Performances Tony Izzo, assistant city attorney, stated the only pieces that have not been determined are the decibels, distances, and hours of performance. Commissioner Madigan asked if the noise piece could be wrapped into the noise ordinance. Tony advised the noise ordinance is more general. This is written for this specific issue. Commissioner Scirocco stated he would like to see designated areas marked for the performers. Another issue is the performers are taking up the benches all day. Commissioner Mathiesen suggested testing decibels with the performers at curb side of sidewalk. Allowing 80 decibels at 50 feet is loud for street performers. The noise ordinance should be amended to include this issue. PRESENTATIONS Street Performers Update City Council Pre-Agenda Meeting May 4, 2015 Mayor Yepsen advised Tony Izzo will do this earlier in the meeting. 2014 Preliminary Year-End Financial Report Commissioner Madigan advised this will be the unaudited report. She won’t have the final audited numbers until July or August. She will be sending out a press release today regarding the budgets. Saratoga Springs Financial Transparency Portal – OpenGov Commissioner Madigan advised this will be a demo of the transparency portal. It is live. Data can be downloaded by year, month or line item. EXECUTIVE SESSION Mayor Yepsen stated there are 2 topics for discussion in executive session; one regarding an Article 7 and the other is collective negotiations. Commissioner Madigan recommended the executive session be held in the City Council Room or in the city attorney’s office. Mayor Yepsen stated they have always held them in Commissioner Franck’s office. Tony Izzo advised his experience has been that things can be overheard in the hall if an executive session is held in the Council Room. Mayor Yepsen stated location doesn’t matter; it is the content of the session. Commissioner Madigan stated she is not willing to have an executive session in the Accounts Department. Mayor Yepsen stated she will clear the Council Room this time but in the future they will have to work something else out. CONSENT AGENDA 1. Approval of 4/20/15 Pre-Agenda Meeting Minutes 2. Approve Resolution for the Use of the Insurance Reserve – 16 3. Approve Resolution for the Use of the Insurance Reserve – 17 4. Approve Resolution for the Use of the Insurance Reserve – 18 5. Approve Budget Amendments – Insurance Reserve 6. Approve Budget Amendments (Increases) 7. Approve Budget Transfers – Regular 8. Approve Payroll 04/24/15 $419,741.95 9. Approve Payroll 04/29/15 $387.54 10. Approve Payroll 05/01/15 $459,833.12 11. Approve Warrant: 2015 Mid – 15 MWAPR3 $6,735.83 12. Approve Warrant: 2015 REG – 15MAY1 $1,362,904.52 Commissioner Franck advised there will be another set of minutes added to the Consent Agenda. MAYOR’S DEPARTMENT Discussion: Updated 2015 Comprehensive Plan Page 2 of 5 City Council Pre-Agenda Meeting May 4, 2015 Mayor Yepsen thanked her staff for all their work and efforts regarding the Comprehensive Plan. Brad Birge of the Planning Department advised they incorporated everything received from the Council into the November draft document. The Council will need to set a public hearing and send to the County Planning Board for advisory opinion. Discussion and Vote: Accept $194 Donation from Crafters Gallery for Framing of Centennial Proclamations No comments. Set Public Hearing: To Amend the 2015 Capital Budget & Program for Purchase of Development Rights of the Pitney Family Farm Mayor Yepsen advised they received the resolution late Friday from the Open Space Committee. Set Public Hearing: Use of Open Space Bond Authority to Purchase Development Rights of Pitney Family Farm No comments. Announcement: Memorial Day Parade No comments. Mayor Yepsen advised she is adding an item to her agenda: Discussion: GEIS for Race Course Improvements. ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENT Discussion and Vote: Article 7 Proposed Settlement for Multiple Parcels Commissioner Franck advised they will be discussing this in today’s executive session. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor to Sign Agreement with Hoosick Valley Contractors Marilyn Rivers advised this contract is for repairs to the Arts Council from the ice damage claim in February. The total amount of the contract is $19,900. Award of Bid: Parking Deck Stairs Replacement to Debrino Caulking Associates, Inc. No comments. Award of Bid: Pipe, Fittings, Hydrants and Valves to Ferguson Waterworks No comments. Discussion and Vote: Resolution to Approve Retroactive Non-Profit Exemption for the Legal Aid Society of NE New York Tony Popolizio of the Assessment Department advised this resolution will allow the Legal Aid Society to qualify for a tax exemption. The Legal Aid Society purchased property from the County and lost the exemption due to failure to apply for the exemption in a timely manner. Page 3 of 5 City Council Pre-Agenda Meeting May 4, 2015 FINANCE DEPARTMENT Discussion and Vote: Budget Transfers – Contingency (Boots Policy) No comments. Discussion and Vote: Budget Transfers – Payroll No comments. Commissioner Madigan advised she may be added an item to her agenda regarding IT Help Desk Tech. Mayor Yepsen asked Commissioner Madigan if she could expand upon what that item entails. Commissioner Madigan stated she doesn’t have an idea or any more details regarding this yet. It does not have anything to do with space. PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT Discussion and Vote: Authorization for the Mayor to Sign Addendum Agreement with Fitzgerald Morris Baker & Firth Commissioner Scirocco stated this is regarding on-going litigation with L.G. White. Discussion and Vote: Sick Bank Request No comments. Discussion and Vote: Accept a Gift of Services from Saratoga County Foundation – Drilling of High Rock Park Tony Izzo advised the Saratoga County Foundation has offered to engage services of Hawk Drilling to open High Rock Park. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for the Mayor to Sign Agreement with Hawk Drilling Co., Inc. – High Rock Park No comments. PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT Announcement: Sgt. Mark Leffler Receives Recognition of Excellence Award No comments. Announcement: 2014 Officer of the Year No comments. Set Public Hearing: Amend Chapter 225, Article IX; 225-89, Schedule XXIV: Load Zones (Passenger) and Amend Chapter 225, Article IX; 225-90, Schedule XXV; Taxi Stand Commissioner Mathiesen advised this relates to Wright Street and Frank Sullivan Place. Page 4 of 5 City Council Pre-Agenda Meeting May 4, 2015 Set Public Hearing: Amend City Code Article 225, section 225-72, Schedule VII One-Way Streets Commissioner Mathiesen advised they are reversing the direction of Senior Lane to run south to north rather than north to south as it is today. SUPERVISORS MATTHEW VEITCH Supervisor Veitch advised he will not be able to attend tomorrow’s City Council meeting so he is presenting his report this morning. NYS Consolidated Funding Solicitation Supervisor Veitch reported that applications are now being accepted through July 31st. There is a Consolidated Funding workshop schedules for May 6th at the New York State Convention Center. Sheriff Staffing Subcommittee Supervisor Veitch advised this committee is scheduled to meet May 12th at 2 p.m. Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Supervisor Veitch announced this is new legislation for the Workforce Investment Board. Changes will be made effective July 1st. PETER MARTIN 1. Greater Capital Region Chasing Assets, Savings and Hope Program 2. Capital Region Vietnam Veterans Exhibit EXECUTIVE SESSION Mayor Yepsen moved and Commissioner Scirocco seconded to adjourn into executive session for the purpose of Article 7s and contract negotiations at 10:26 a.m. The Council returned at 11:15 a.m. There was nothing to report. ADJOURN Mayor Yepsen adjourned the meeting at 11:15 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Lisa Ribis Clerk Approved: 5/19/15 Vote: 5 - 0 Page 5 of 5