City Council

November 17, 2015 CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS City Council Meeting City Council Room 7:00 PM 7:00 PM CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL SALUTE TO FLAG PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD / 15 MINUTES PRESENTATION EXECUTIVE SESSION: CONSENT AGENDA 1. Approval of 11/2/15 Pre-Agenda Meeting Minutes 2. Approve Budget Amendments (Increases) 3. Approve Budget Transfers – Regular 4. Approve Payroll 11/06/15 $597,600.69 5. Approve Payroll 11/13/15 $463,201.00 6. Approve Warrant: 2015 Mid – 15MWNOV1 $112,542.69 7. Approve Warrant: 2015 REG – 15NOV2 $360,980.11 MAYOR’S DEPARTMENT 1. Presentation: Update to City’s Code of Ethics, Procedures, Document and Inquiry Form 2. Set Public Hearing: Amend City Code Chapter 13 – Code of Ethics 3. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor to Sign collective Bargaining Agreement with Fire Administrative Officers 4. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for the Mayor to Sign Agreement with GAR Associates, Inc. for Appraisal of High Rock Parking Lot 5. Announcement: A Tribute to Vietnam War Era Veterans at City Center – Saturday, November 21, 2015 at 7 p.m. ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENT 1. Nothing at this time. FINANCE DEPARTMENT City Council Meeting 11/17/15 1. Discussion and Vote: 2016 Tax Rate Approvals 2. Discussion and Vote: Fund Balance Policy 3. Discussion and Vote: Health Care Plan Rate Renewals 4. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor’s Signature on AMEP Agreement 5. Set Public Hearing: Amend the Capital Budget – Time & Attendance Project 6. Discussion and Vote: Budget Transfers – Payroll 7. Discussion and Vote: Budget Amendments – Interfund PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT 1. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Council to Approve Water Adjustment for 47 Marvin Street 2. Discussion and Vote Authorization for Council to Approve Water Adjustment for 29 Cliffside Drive 3. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for the Mayor to Sign Change Order with Jablonski Excavating, Inc. for the Pinewoods Avenue Sanitary Sewer Replacement Project PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT 1. Discussion: CDTA Proposed Route Changes 2. Discussion: Moore Hall Re-development 3. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor to Sign Agreement with Hoosick Valley for the Lake Avenue Fire Station Window Replacement Project SUPERVISORS Matthew Veitch 1. Saratoga County 2016 Budget 2. Open Space and Trails Fund 3. Open Space Grants 4. Saratoga Casino and Raceway Foundation Grants 5. Deceased Veteran Honors – Gene Corsale Peter Martin 1. Social Programs Committee 2. Public Health Committee 3. Personnel ADJOURN Page 2 of 9 City Council Meeting 11/17/15 November 17, 2015 PRESENT: Joanne Yepsen, Mayor CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS John Franck, Commissioner of Accounts City Council Meeting Michele City Council Room Madigan, Commissioner of 7:00 PM Finance 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 Tim Cogan, Deputy Commissioner, DPW Eileen Finneran, Deputy Commissioner, DPS Vincent DeLeonardis Matthew Veitch, Supervisor Peter Martin, 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 7:04 p.m. PUBLIC COMENT Mayor Yepsen said the public comment period is limited to a total of 15 minutes and individuals are limited to two minutes each. Mayor Yepsen opened the public comment period at 7:05 p.m. Maryellen Brial of Saratoga Springs stated she is here because CDTA would like to cut services at Wesley. Seniors and employees use this service. She hopes CDTA will compromise with Wesley. Johanna Dushlack of Embury Apartments thanked Commissioner Mathiesen for attending the CDTA meeting last week. She is shocked the public transportation might end. John Boardman of Saratoga Springs thanked Commissioner Mathiesen for proposing the discussion of Moore Hall redevelopment. He requested if the Council could ask the ZBA to delay their decision until the Council has a change to review the developer’s proposal. Jeffrey Allen of Saratoga Springs thanked the City Council for keeping an open mind when these proposals come up. Page 3 of 9 City Council Meeting 11/17/15 Lorraine Wright of 37 Clark Street stated she appreciates having another set of eyes and ears. They hope to get another prospective on the project have it looked at in a different way. William Bloom of Saratoga Springs stated he met with CDTA in April when the route first came out. The last time the bus service re-route was done was 7 years ago and may not happen for another 7 years. The whole eastern side of the City is not going to be served. James Heleky of Cleveland Avenue stated the CDTA changes have serious implications on our City. The current bus system serves a large geographic area. The new routes would no longer serve the south or east side. Bus service will disappear from the racino, the Terraces, Lake Avenue, and Weibel. There will be little or no service for people working nights or weekends. Bryan of Saratoga Springs stated CDTA argued this better matches better ridership. The current system has excellent geographic coverage. Darlene McGraw of Saratoga Springs thanked the Council, especially Commissioner Mathiesen, for going to the CDTA meeting. James Heleky read a letter from Lisa Kent, the Outreach Pastoral Associate of St. Clement’s Church. She stated her clients oppose the proposed bus route by CDTA. Residents of Jefferson Terrace and Vanderbilt Terrace are impacted the most. Mayor Yepsen closed the public comment period at 7:31 p.m. Mayor Yepsen asked for a moment of silence for the victims and families of the Paris attacks. CONSENT AGENDA Mayor Yepsen moved and Commissioner Franck seconded to accept the consent agenda as follows: 1. Approval of 11/2/15 Pre-Agenda Meeting Minutes 2. Approve Budget Amendments (Increases) 3. Approve Budget Transfers – Regular 4. Approve Payroll 11/06/15 $597,600.69 5. Approve Payroll 11/13/15 $463,201.00 6. Approve Warrant: 2015 Mid – 15MWNOV1 $112,542.69 7. Approve Warrant: 2015 REG – 15NOV2 $360,980.11 Ayes - All MAYOR’S DEPARTMENT Presentation: Update to City’s Code of Ethics, Procedures, Document and Inquiry Form Mayor Yepsen stated the Ethics Board has been working for the past year on many changes. Justin Hogan, chair of the board, highlighted some areas of change to the code and procedures. This is a line by line review. There were many inconsistencies to the New York State Public Officer Law. They edited definitions and now require all City boards and committees to file a disclosure form. Commissioner Madigan suggested the IT administrator and payroll clerk complete disclosure forms. Set Public Hearing: Amend City Code Chapter 13 – Code of Ethics Page 4 of 9 City Council Meeting 11/17/15 Mayor Yepsen set a public hearing for Tuesday, December 1, 2015 at 6:50 p.m. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor to Sign collective Bargaining Agreement with Fire Administrative Officers (15-382) Mayor Yepsen advised this contract would be effective January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2017. Vince DeLeonardis, city attorney, advised this is the labor contract for the fire chiefs. The contract will run from January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2017. Some of the changes include sick leave policy regarding cash value; education reimbursement for fire or emergency related fields; after 1/1/5 all new members will contribute 15% to their health insurance with no cap; increased opt-out amount; and the wage increases are 2.5% for 2014, 2% for each year thereafter in this contract. Commissioner Madigan stated the estimate cost for retro pay for 2014 and 2015 is $17,250 and estimated cost of updating the 2016 budget is $15,050. Mayor Yepsen moved and Commissioner Mathiesen seconded to authorize the mayor to sign a collective bargaining agreement with the fire administrative officers as distributed to the City Council and discussed here this evening. Ayes – All Discussion and Vote: Authorization for the Mayor to Sign Agreement with GAR Associates, Inc. for Appraisal of High Rock Parking Lot (15-383) Mayor Yepsen stated they obtained 3 quotes and have selected GAR Associates to do the appraisal of the High Rock parking lot. They were the lowest bidder at $2,500. Funding is in line A3011424 / 54720. Mayor Yepsen moved and Commissioner Mathiesen seconded to authorize the mayor to sign an agreement with GAR Associates, Inc. in the amount of $2,500 for an appraisal of the High Rock parking lot as distributed with the agenda. Ayes - All Announcement: A Tribute to Vietnam War Era Veterans at City Center – Saturday, November 21, 2015 at 7 p.m. Mayor Yepsen stated there will be a tribute to the Vietnam veterans this Saturday at the City Center at 7 p.m. ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENT Commissioner Franck announced he had nothing at this time. FINANCE DEPARTMENT Discussion and Vote: 2016 Tax Rate Approvals (15-384) Commissioner Madigan advised these rates are based upon the 2016 budget passed November 2, 2015. Once approved the rates will be forwarded to the County for individual bill printing. Commissioner Madigan moved and Commissioner Mathiesen seconded to approve the 2016 tax rate as follows:  Debt service capital fund tax rate – 0.8238% Page 5 of 9 City Council Meeting 11/17/15  General fund tax rate – inside district - $5.2356  General fund tax rate – outside district - $5.1583  Special assessment district - $0.68983 Ayes - All Discussion and Vote: Fund Balance Policy (15-385) Commissioner Madigan advised the current range for the Fund Balance Policy is between 10% - 15%. The maximum is proving to be too low. She would like to continue what they are doing when they find themselves with money above the 15% and now asking to raise it to 25%. Commissioner Madigan moved and Commissioner Mathiesen seconded to approve the Fund Balance Policy as distributed with the agenda. Ayes - All Discussion and Vote: Health Care Plan Rate Renewals (15-386) Commissioner Madigan stated the following health care plans have had their rates approved by the state and the City is being asked to sign the annual rate renewal: MVP Gold, MVP HMO 10, MVP HMO 25, MVP EPO/PPO, and CDPHP. Commissioner Madigan moved and Commissioner Mathiesen to approve the mayor’s requires signature on the health care rate renewals. Ayes - All Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor’s Signature on AMEP Agreement (15-387) Commissioner Madigan stated this is a service contract for the extended warranty of the equipment in the server room in the amount of $9,578. Funding is in line A3021694 / 54740. Commissioner Madigan moved and Commissioner Mathiesen seconded to approve the mayor’s required signature on the AMEP agreement as distributed with the agenda. Ayes - All Set Public Hearing: Amend the Capital Budget – Time & Attendance Project Commissioner Madigan set a public hearing for Tuesday, December 1, 2015 at 6:45 p.m. Discussion and Vote: Budget Transfers – Payroll (115-388) Commissioner Madigan moved and Commissioner Mathiesen seconded to approve the 2015 budget transfers – payroll which were distributed with the agenda. Ayes - All Discussion and Vote: Budget Amendments – Interfund (15-389) Commissioner Madigan moved and Commissioner Franck seconded to approve the 2015 budget amendments – interfund which were distributed with the agenda. Ayes - All Page 6 of 9 City Council Meeting 11/17/15 PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Council to Approve Water Adjustment for 47 Marvin Street (15-390) Commissioner Scirocco advised Amanda Wylie of 47 Marvin Street submitted a letter for adjustment to her water bill. There was a common service line broke and has since been fixed. Commissioner Scirocco moved and Commissioner Franck seconded to approve the adjustment of the water bill in the amount of $152.73 for 47 Marvin Street. Ayes - All Discussion and Vote Authorization for Council to Approve Water Adjustment for 27 Cliffside Drive (15- 391) Commissioner Scirocco stated they received a letter from Emily Bondi regarding her bill of $8,306.53 from July 2015. The resident was out of town when the water line broke. The pipe has been fixed. Commissioner Scirocco moved and Commissioner Franck seconded to approve a water adjustment for 29 Cliffside Drive for 750 cubic feet of water in the amount of $91.33. Ayes - All Discussion and Vote: Authorization for the Mayor to Sign Change Order with Jablonski Excavating, Inc. for the Pinewoods Avenue Sanitary Sewer Replacement Project (15-392) Commissioner Scirocco advised this is change order #1 in the amount of $54,918 and for a time extension until 4/30/16. Commissioner Scirocco moved and Commissioner Madigan seconded to authorize the mayor to sign change order with Jablonski Excavating for the Pinewood Avenue sanitary sewer replacement project in the amount of $54,918. Funding is in line H3638122 / 52000 / 1183. Ayes - All PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT Discussion: CDTA Proposed Route Changes Commissioner Mathiesen stated he attended the meeting CDTA held last week. The changes are substantial. There is proposal for new service to Kirby Road area, elimination of service to the Jefferson Street and Lake Avenue areas. This would affect churches, school, and the racino. There are ways of increasing ridership without changing these roots. He doesn’t feel this proposal is in the best interest of the City. He suggested he City contact CDTA and have them come here to do a presentation and give the Council an opportunity to present their ideas to CDTA. This affects the community at large. Mayor Yepsen advised they have been receptive in the past; let’s hope they continue to be. Commissioner Franck suggested a smaller meeting ahead of time with CDTA would prove to be productive. Mayor Yepsen stated she asked her office to contact CDTA to set up a meeting. Page 7 of 9 City Council Meeting 11/17/15 Discussion: Moore Hall Re-development Commissioner Mathiesen stated he has been contacted by people on the east side who are concerned about the Moore Hall project. The zoning of that parcel had been changed in the past to UR-4 to accommodate the proposal in the early 2000’s. He doesn’t feel it is wrong to do something with Moore Hall. The neighbors have been concerned about dense residential use, which is out of compliance with UR-4, and parking resources and implications. He suggested the City Council hold a workshop with residents and the developer to see if a compromise can be reached. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor to Sign Agreement with Hoosick Valley for the Lake Avenue Fire Station Window Replacement Project (15-393) Commissioner Mathiesen moved and Commissioner Madigan seconded to authorize the mayor to sign an agreement with Hoosick Valley Contractors, Inc. in the amount of $116,500. Funding is in lines: H3146952 / 52000 / 1203 and H3146952 / 52000 / 1186. Ayes - All SUPERVISORS Matthew Veitch Saratoga County 2016 Budget Supervisor Veitch reported there is $79,000 in the 2016 budget for CDTA. They created a part time transport team to transport prisoners to court. The County tax rate is going to be 2¢ per $1,000 less this year. The public hearing for the budget is December 1st at 4:30 p.m. Open Space and Trails Fund Supervisor Veitch stated the money the County received from Malta for taking over of the roads was added to the trails money. The amount is $53,000. The City will receive $100,000 for the purchase of the Pitney Farm. Open Space Grants Supervisor Veitch advised they established an Open Space Reserve Account. Saratoga Casino and Raceway Foundation Grants Supervisor Veitch stated 18 grants were awarded this year. Deceased Veteran Honors – Gene Corsale Supervisor Veitch reported this month they honored Gene Corsale today. It was fitting that November has Veteran’s Day in it and Gene was honored today. Peter Martin Social Programs Committee Page 8 of 9 City Council Meeting 11/17/15 Supervisor Martin reported they discussed the HEAP Program. They discussed a new 4 years service plan from the Office of the Aging. They also authorized transportation for seniors, dietician services, and in- home respite care. Public Health Committee Supervisor Martin reported the County will be receiving additional aid from NYS Department of Health for children with special health care needs, lead poisoning prevention, and immunization action plan. Personnel Supervisor Martin reported they authorized the continuation of the contract with Girvin & Ferlazzo for 3 years. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Mayor Yepsen adjourned the meeting at 9:16 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Lisa Ribis Clerk Approved: 12/1/15 Vote: 5 - 0 Page 9 of 9