City Council

May 3, 2016 CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS City Council Meeting City Council Room 7:00 PM 6:50 PM P.H. – Amend City Code Article 225 Sub-Section 225-74 Schedule IX – Prohibit Turns at Intersections 6:55 PM P.H. – Zoning Map Amendment to Historic District 7:00 PM CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL SALUTE TO FLAG PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD / 15 MINUTES PRESENATIONS 1. 2015 Preliminary Year-End Financial Report CONSENT AGENDA 1. Approval of 4/18/16 Pre-Agenda Meeting Minutes 2. Approval of 4/19/16 City Council Meeting Minutes 3. Approval of 4/5/16 City Council Meeting Minutes 4. Approve Budget Amendments (Increases) 5. Approve Budget Transfers – Regular 6. Approve Payroll: 4/22/16 $449,696.12 7. Approve Payroll: 4/29/16 $448,268.38 8. Approve Warrant: 2016 Mid – 16MWAPR3: $107,462.55 9. Approve Warrant: 2016 Mid – 16MWMAY1: $613,512.42 10. Approve Warrant: 2016 REG – 16MAY1 $427,586.85 MAYOR’S DEPARTMENT 1. Appointment: Saratoga Race Course Local Advisory Board 2. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor to Execute Settlement Agreement and Mutual Releases Regarding the Anderson Group vs. the City of Saratoga Springs. 3. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor to Execute Agreement with CSEA Relative to Retiree Health Benefits 4. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor to Sign an Affiliation Agreement with SUNY Albany for G3 Partnership 5. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor to Sign Agreement with GAR Associates for Appraisal of 209 South Broadway 6. Announcement: NYS Office of Court Administration – Requested Extension 7. Announcement: Pitney Family Farm 8. Announcement: Grants 2 You Workshop City Council Meeting 5/3/16 9. Announcement: 2016 Memorial Parade 10. Discussion: Citizens’ Complaints About Aggressive Panhandling ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENT 1. Discussion and Vote: Approval to Pay Invoice to Northeastern New York Safety & Health Council 2. Announcement: Grievance Day – May 24, 2016 3. Award of Bid: Wayfinding Program to Ortwein Sign 4. Award of Bid: Rejection of All Bids for Integrated Pest Management Services 5. Award of Bid: Adams Street Pump Station Sewer & Forcemain Upgrades to Trinity Construction, Inc. 6. Announcement: Grievance Class – May 10, 2016 FINANCE DEPARTMENT 1. Discussion and Vote: Approve Warrant: 2016 REG – 16APR2: $1,248,155.69 (revised) 2. Discussion and Vote: Budget Transfers – Payroll 3. Discussion and Vote: Budget Transfers – Benefits 4. Discussion and Vote: Budget Amendments – Benefits 5. Discussion and Vote: Budget Amendment – Legal Liability PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT 1. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for the Mayor to Sign Agreement with Wm J. Keller for the Casino Dr. and BOCES Pump Station Upgrade Project 2. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for the Mayor to Sign Agreement Addendum with Envision for the City Hall Space Study 3. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for the Mayor to Sign Curbing Contracts 4. Set Public Hearing: Amend the 2016 Capital Budget for the Adams Street Pump Station Project 5. Set Public Hearing: Amend the 2016 Capital Budget for the Woodlawn Water Main Improvement Project PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT 1. Announcement: Public Safety Forum on May 19, 2016 at 7 pm in the City Council Room 2. Discussion and Vote: Amend City Code Article 225, Sub-Section 225-74, Schedule IX: Prohibited Turns at Intersections 3. Set Public Hearing: Amend Chapter 118 of the City Code 4. Set Public Hearing: Amend Chapter 222 of the City Code 5. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor to Sign Agreement with First Light 6. Discussion: History of Town Hall Theater 7. Discussion: Response to Mayor Yepsen’s Open Letter to the Citizens of Saratoga Springs 8. Announcement: Noise Ordinance and the Oklahoma Track 9. Discussion and Vote: Accept Resignation of an Employee SUPERVISORS Matthew Veitch 1. Statement regarding absence. Peter Martin 1. Office of the Aging ADJOURN Page 2 of 13 City Council Meeting 5/3/16 May 3, 2016 CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS City Council Meeting City Council Room 7:00 PM 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 Tim Cogan, Deputy Commissioner, DPW Eileen Finneran, Deputy Commissioner, DPS Vincent DeLeonardis Peter Martin, Supervisor ABSENT: 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. PUBLIC HEARINGS Amend City Code Article 225 Sub-Section 225-74 Schedule IX – Prohibit Turns at Intersections Mayor Yepsen opened the public hearing at 6:57 p.m. Commissioner Mathiesen explained this relates to the intersection at Ballston Avenue and Hamilton Street. There have been a number of times that trucks have destroyed the turn signals when making a right hand turn. They are looking to amend the code to prohibit trucks from making a right turn at this intersection. Darlene McGraw of Saratoga Springs stated she appreciates this. Mayor Yepsen closed the public hearing at 6:59 p.m. Zoning Map Amendment to Historic District Mayor Yepsen opened the public hearing at 6:59 p.m. Page 3 of 13 City Council Meeting 5/3/16 Mayor Yepsen explained the owners of 199 and 200 Woodlawn Avenue wish to have their properties included in the City Historic District. Samantha Bosshart of the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation fully endorse the inclusion of these 2 properties within the City’s Historic District. Mayor Yepsen closed the public hearing at 7:01 p.m. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Yepsen called the meeting to order at 7:01 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. Mayor Yepsen opened the public comment period at 7:02 p.m. Marion Treas of Saratoga Springs stated she is in a frustrated state. She is seeing lawn treatment signs all over. There is an environmental impact with these treatments. We are killing bees and butterflies for blades of green grass. We need to do something about it. Steve Allen of Saratoga Springs stated he is happy to see the discussion of the homeless on the agenda. They fight, urinate on the sides of the buildings, and they are disruptive to all those who walk by. This should not be tolerated. Phil Diamond of Saratoga Springs stated he is concerned about the petition and talk about the ‘undesirables’ we have in town. He feels we need to remember some of these people may be veterans. He is in favor of doing something but the veterans need to be treated in the way they deserve to be treated. David Bronner of Saratoga Springs stated the item on the Department of Public Safety’s agenda regarding the mayor’s open letter is troubling. It is unfortunate discussions continued for months before the mayor recused herself and she only did this after the hospital told her they weren’t going to hire her because of conflict of interest. We need an explanation of the timeline. Todd of Saratoga Springs stated he agrees with everything said about the homeless population. We pride ourselves with walking around this City and he doesn’t want this to be threatened as they do that. Darlene McGraw of Saratoga Springs stated she has been homeless. She walks a different route because she is tired of being asked for money. Mayor Yepsen closed the public comment period at 7:13 p.m. PRESENTATIONS 2015 Preliminary Year-End Financial Report th Commissioner Madigan stated this is considered the 4 quarter report and the year-end report. The report is unaudited. Unaudited year-end figures resulted in a 2015 general operating surplus of $811,000; total 2015 revenue collected totaled $43,952,000 and total 2015 expenditures were $43,140,000. The general fund balance for 2015 was $16,541,000. The fund balance is made up of non-spendable, restricted, assigned appropriated, assigned unappropriated, and unrestricted unassigned balances. The acceptable Page 4 of 13 City Council Meeting 5/3/16 range of unrestricted unassigned fund balance is between 10% - 25% of the total adopted budget. The City should have a minimum of $4 million and no more than $11 million in unrestricted unassigned fund balance; which there is no excess unrestricted unassigned fund balance for 2015. Commissioner Madigan advised the revenue received for 2015 was $841,000 less than estimated. Sales tax revenue increased in 2015 by 3%, 2015 sales tax increased by $376,000 over 2014 collections, VLT aid received was the same in 2014 and 2015, mortgage tax increased in 2015 by 27%, ambulance fees increased in 2015 by 13% over 2014, NYRA admissions tax increased in 2015 by 11%, hotel occupancy tax increased in 2015 by 15%, and fire inspection fees increased in 2015 by 74%. Commissioner Madigan advised actual expenditures were $2,902,000 less than the revised budget for 2015. Of this amount, $1.33 million was encumbered at year end. Commissioner Madigan advised personal services were (wages and social security) were under expended by $612,000. Contracted services were under expended, health insurance costs were increased by 7.8% from 2014, retirement costs decreased 13% for police and fire units and increased by 9% for other employee units, and social security expenses were $98,000 less than budgeted. Commissioner Madigan advised actual revenue totaled $43,952,033 while actual expenditures totaled $43,140,528; the difference is a surplus in the amount of $811,000. We did a good job planning. Commissioner Madigan advised the water and sewer funds have had exceptional results. Both funds are over the maximum allowed; therefore there is money to be used. The Commissioner of Finance will make recommendations for water and sewer. There are infrastructure needs that can now be addressed due to the healthy fund balances. Commissioner Mathiesen stated unforeseen things do happen. They were down in parking fees due to their parking enforcement people being out a good part of the year due to illness. Commissioner Scirocco stated it is important to note the water and sewer budgets were in trouble for quite some time. The utility bills/revenue is used to pay debt service and water/sewer projects. They put a capital improvement fee in place to pay the debt service on the projects they were doing. Mayor Yepsen advised this is Economic Development week. She read the following proclamation into the record: Economic Development Week 2016 WHEREAS, the Saratoga County Prosperity Partnership promotes economic well-being and quality of life for our communities by creating, retaining, and expanding jobs that facilitate growth, enhance wealth, and provide a stable tax base; and WHEREAS, the Saratoga County Prosperity Partnership stimulates and incubates entrepreneurism in order to help establish the next generation of new businesses, which is the hallmark of the American economy; and WHEREAS, the Saratoga County Prosperity Partnership is engaged in a wide variety of settings including rural and urban, local, state, and federal governments, public-private partnerships, chambers of commerce, universities, and a variety of other institutions; and WHEREAS, the Saratoga County Prosperity Partnership attracts and retains high-quality jobs, develops vibrant communities, and improves the quality of life in our region; and WHEREAS, that city of Saratoga Springs further commends the Saratoga County Prosperity Partnership and its officers and staff for their hard work and dedication in promoting economic development projects and sustaining economic development activities in Saratoga County; and WHEREAS, “Economic Development Week” is an event created by the International Economic Development Council to celebrate economic development and to educate local communities on economic development projects in their region; NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOANNE D. YEPSEN, Mayor of the City of Saratoga Springs, am pleased to join with my fellow Saratogians, declare the week of May 8-14, 2016 as “Economic Development Week” in the City of Saratoga Springs, and reminds Saratoga Springs residents of the importance of the economic development profession in advancing career opportunities and improving the quality of life in Saratoga Springs. Page 5 of 13 City Council Meeting 5/3/16 Martin Vanags of Economic Development Council stated he is proud this Friday is one year for him in Saratoga. He looks forward to continue working with the Council. CONSENT AGENDA Mayor Yepsen moved and Commissioner Mathiesen seconded to accept the consent agenda as follows: 1. Approval of 4/18/16 Pre-Agenda Meeting Minutes 2. Approval of 4/19/16 City Council Meeting Minutes 3. Approval of 4/5/16 City Council Meeting Minutes 4. Approve Budget Amendments (Increases) 5. Approve Budget Transfers – Regular 6. Approve Payroll: 4/22/16 $449,696.12 7. Approve Payroll: 4/29/16 $448,268.38 8. Approve Warrant: 2016 Mid – 16MWAPR3: $107,462.55 9. Approve Warrant: 2016 Mid – 16MWMAY1: $613,512.42 10. Approve Warrant: 2016 REG – 16MAY1 $427,586.85 Ayes – All MAYOR’S DEPARTMENT Appointment: Saratoga Race Course Local Advisory Board Mayor Yepsen advised this board was set up between the state and NYRA. The mayor of Saratoga Springs appoints 5 members. She is appointing, Cindy Hollowood, Skip Carlson, Michele Funicello, John Carusone, Bill Wilmott. This is a 2 year appointment. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor to Execute Settlement Agreement and Mutual Releases Regarding the Anderson Group vs. the City of Saratoga Springs (16-165) Mayor Yepsen stated this was a topic of yesterday’s executive session. Mayor Yepsen moved and Commissioner Madigan seconded to authorize the mayor to execute a settlement agreement and mutual releases in regards to the Anderson Group vs. the City of Saratoga Springs as discussed in executive session on Monday, May 2, 2016, and contingent upon a budget amendment that should be approved later this evening. Ayes - All Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor to Execute Agreement with CSEA Relative to Retiree Health Benefits (16-166) Mayor Yepsen stated this too was a topic of yesterday’s executive session. Mayor Yepsen moved and Commissioner Mathiesen seconded to authorize the mayor to execute an agreement with CSEA regarding retirees’ health benefits as discussed in executive session, Monday, May 2, 2016. Ayes - All Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor to Sign an Affiliation Agreement with SUNY Albany for G3 Partnership (16-167) Page 6 of 13 City Council Meeting 5/3/16 Mayor Yepsen stated this is a great opportunity for graduate students to work free of charge to gather data and make recommendations on how we can become a sustainable community. The UAlbany team will be here for the next 10 days. Deputy Mayor Joe Ogden stated the students will be here approximately 10 days. Mayor Yepsen moved and Commissioner Mathiesen seconded to authorize the mayor to sign an affiliation agreement with SUNY Albany for participation in the G3 Partnership Program as distributed with the final agenda. Ayes - All Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor to Sign Agreement with GAR Associates for Appraisal of 209 South Broadway (16-168) Mayor Yepsen stated this property is better known as the Crown Oil property next to Dunkin Donuts. The owner has offered to donate this parcel to the City. The owner requests we do an appraisal. A3011424 / 54720. Mayor Yepsen moved and Commissioner Mathiesen seconded to authorize the mayor to sign an agreement with GAR Associated for the appraisal of 209 South Broadway as distributed with the final agenda. Ayes - All Announcement: NYS Office of Court Administration – Requested Extension nd Mayor Yepsen stated they requested an extension on April 22 . Commissioner Scirocco assisted with drafting of that letter. They requested a 4 week extension to submit their plan. A letter was received with a response to the letter from the Office of Court Administration advising the extension has been granted. Announcement: Pitney Family Farm Mayor Yepsen stated the City’s role is the conservation easement. Tony Izzo, assistant city attorney, advised the conservation easement defined many things. The conservation easement that is in place now will remain unchanged. Sandy Arnold, who runs Pleasant Valley Farm in Argyle stated they approached the Pitney’s regarding building a community farm on their property. They feel comfortable with going forward with their original vision which includes the agricultural hub, community gardens, teaching/training farm, and trails. They are in the process of forming a 501 C3 not-for-profit called The Pitney Meadows Community Farm, Inc. Their major concern at this time in the acquisition of the Pitney Farm. Kathy Pitney thanked the City. Their vision remains the same; the property be protected to be as an agricultural and educational resource. Announcement: Grants 2 You Workshop th Mayor Yepsen announced the next Grants 2 You Workshop is scheduled for May 13 at Skidmore College. Announcement: 2016 Memorial Day Parade th Mayor Yepsen advised the parade is May 26 . Page 7 of 13 City Council Meeting 5/3/16 Discussion: Citizens’ Complaints About Aggressive Panhandling Mayor Yepsen stated she has been receiving numerous calls and e-mails on this. She wants everyone to agree there is a difference between homelessness and aggressive panhandling. The aggressive panhandlers are not homeless and not Saratogians; it is a business and they take shifts. We have got to stop giving the panhandlers money. Drop boxes are being put out for the benefit of our shelters. Mike Finocchi of Shelters of Saratoga stated he used to work in Schenectady. Because of the homeless, the businesses on State Street couldn’t bring business in. They are working with a firm from New York City on a strategic plan. This firm’s strength is the homeless. Various groups have to be involved to make this a success. Mayor Yepsen stated many relationships that have been formed since Code Blue. We need the full community and an action plan needs to be put in place. We need to look at new laws. Commissioner Mathiesen advised they are devoting a portion of their next Public Safety Forum on public th vagrancy; the forum will take place May 19 . People should be treated with respect and people do have rights. They are trying to look into how to change/adjust ordinance for aggressive panhandling. Commissioner Madigan stated she asked the mayor to remove this item from her agenda as she did not believe this is the proper forum for this discussion. She spoke with the chief and he wants to put more officers on the street but that costs money. There are long term things we can look at and we need good legal guidance. She would like to hear from the experts, stakeholders, and citizens. Commissioner Franck stated he is a stakeholder as he owns a building on Broadway. He has had people th break into the 4 floor of his building, try to sunbath on the roof of his building by climbing the fire escape; and urinate on his building. He believes a lot of the issues started when the house by the hospital closed. His concern is something bad is going to happen. Commissioner Scirocco stated he has been dealing with this since the parking garage was built. There has been damage and the person responsible has been arrested. We need the experts to help. It seems we are getting an influx of new people all the time. We need to work together to solve this. Mayor Yepsen stated we need to engage mental health and DSS. Also, 95% of the people in Code Blue are citizens of Saratoga Springs. ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENT Discussion and Vote: Approval to Pay Invoice to Northeastern New York Safety & Health Council (16-169) Commissioner Franck advised the necessary 3 quotes required by the purchasing policy, for the defensive driving classes held, were not obtained. Therefore, we are bringing this invoice to Council for approval for payment. Commissioner Franck moved and Commissioner Mathiesen seconded for Council to authorize payment to the Northeastern New York Safety and Health Council invoice in the amount of $3,060.00. Funding is in line A3051414 / 54573. Ayes - All Announcement: Grievance Day – May 24, 2016 Page 8 of 13 City Council Meeting 5/3/16 th Commissioner Franck announced Grievance Day is always the 4 Tuesday in May. This year the date is May 24th. There are 3 sessions in which grievances are heard – 9:00 a.m. – noon; 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.; and 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. in the City Council Room. If there are any questions, please contact the Assessment Office. Award of Bid: Wayfinding Program to Ortwein Sign (16-170) Commissioner Franck moved and Commissioner Scirocco seconded to award the bid for the Wayfinding Program to Ortwein Sign in the amount of $183,942.00. Funding is in line H3113312 / 52000 / 1239. Ayes - All Award of Bid: Rejection of All Bids for Integrated Pest Management Services (16-171) Commissioner Franck advised the scope of service for the Integrated Pest Management Services bid has been changed. Commissioner Franck moved and Commissioner Scirocco seconded to reject all bids received for the Integrated Pest Management Services bid 2016-15. Ayes - All Award of Bid: Adams Street Pump Station Sewer & Forcemain Upgrades to Trinity Construction, Inc. (16- 172) Commissioner Franck moved and Commissioner Scirocco seconded to award the bid for the Adams Street Pump Station Sewer & Forcemain Upgrades to Trinity Construction, Inc. in the amount of $199,030.00. Funding is in line: H3638122 / 52000 / 1241. Ayes - All Announcement: Grievance Class – May 10, 2016 Commissioner Franck advised they will be holding a grievance class this year on Tuesday, May 10th at 6 p.m. in the City Council room. Residents are invited to attend to learn how to correctly fill out the application to grieve their assessments and understand the process. ** The Council took a break at 8:48 p.m. ** The Council returned at 8:57 p.m. FINANCE DEPARTMENT Discussion and Vote: Approve Warrant: 2016 REG – 16APR2: $1,248,155.69 (revised) (16-173) Commissioner Madigan advised this was on the consent agenda on April 19, 2016. She made a correction to the amount and misstated the corrected amount. Commissioner Madigan moved and Commissioner Mathiesen seconded to approve the warrant 2016REG – 16APR2 in the amount of $1,248,155.69 that was distributed with tonight’s agenda. Page 9 of 13 City Council Meeting 5/3/16 Ayes - All Discussion and Vote: Budget Transfers – Payroll (16-174) Commissioner Madigan moved and Commissioner Scirocco seconded to approve the 2016 budget transfers – payroll which were distributed with the agenda. Ayes – All Discussion and Vote: Budget Transfers – Benefits (16-175) Commissioner Madigan moved and Commissioner Scirocco seconded to approve the 2016 budget transfers – benefits which were distributed with the agenda. Ayes – All Discussion and Vote: Budget Amendments – Benefits (16-176) Commissioner Madigan moved and Commissioner Mathiesen seconded to approve the 2016 budget amendments – benefits which were distributed with the agenda. Ayes – All Discussion and Vote: Budget Amendment – Legal Liability (16-177) Commissioner Madigan moved and Commissioner Mathiesen seconded to approve the 2016 budget amendment – legal liability which were distributed with the agenda. Ayes – All PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT Discussion and Vote: Authorization for the Mayor to Sign Agreement with Wm J. Keller for the Casino Dr. and BOCES Pump Station Upgrade Project (16-178) Commissioner Scirocco stated this is for the upgrade of the existing City sanitary waste pump stations at Casino Drive and the BOCES pump station on Henning Road. Commissioner Scirocco moved and Commissioner Mathiesen seconded to authorize the mayor to sign an agreement with William J. Keller for the Casino Drive and BOCES Pump Station Upgrade Project in the amount of $442,778. Funding is in line H3638122 / 52000 / 1183. Ayes – All Discussion and Vote: Authorization for the Mayor to Sign Agreement Addendum with Envision for the City Hall Space Study (16-179) Commissioner Scirocco advised this addendum with Envision is for additional architectural services for the th development of the 5 planning concept are not to exceed $10,000. Funding is in line H3031492 / 52000 / 1141. Page 10 of 13 City Council Meeting 5/3/16 Commissioner Scirocco moved and Commissioner Madigan seconded to authorize the mayor to sign an agreement addendum with Envision Architects for the City Hall Space Study in the amount not to exceed $10,000. Ayes – All Discussion and Vote: Authorization for the Mayor to Sign Curbing Contracts (16-180) Commissioner Scirocco stated there are 5 curbing contracts for Council approval. The agreements are as follows: • City of Saratoga Springs will install 32 linear feet of pre-cast curbing at $20 per linear foot for Fredricka Dubas at 65 Catherine Street in the amount of $640. • City of Saratoga Springs will install 26 linear feet of pre-cast curbing at $20 per linear foot for Lulu Yandow at 73 Catherine Street in the amount of $520. • City of Saratoga Springs will install 40 linear feet of pre-cast curbing at $20 per linear foot for George VanVoorhis at 25 Pinewood Avenue in the amount of $800. • City of Saratoga Springs will install 40 linear feet of pre-cast curbing at $20 per linear foot for Anthony Scirocco at 27 Pinewood Avenue in the amount of $800.00. • City of Saratoga Springs will install 93 linear feet of pre-cast curbing at $20 per linear foot for William Pabis at 28 Pinewood Avenue in the amount of $1,860. Commissioner Scirocco moved and Commissioner Mathiesen seconded to authorize the mayor to sign all the resident curbing agreements and their amounts as stated. Commissioner Scirocco disclosed for the record that he is the recipient of one of these agreements and is paying for the curb. Ayes – All Set Public Hearing: Amend the 2016 Capital Budget for the Adams Street Pump Station Project Commissioner Scirocco set a public hearing for Tuesday, May 17, 2016 at 6:55 p.m. Set Public Hearing: Amend the 2016 Capital Budget for the Woodlawn Water Main Improvement Project Commissioner Scirocco set a public hearing for Tuesday, May 17, 2016 at 6:50 p.m. PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT Announcement: Public Safety Forum on May 19, 2016 at 7 pm in the City Council Room th Commissioner Mathiesen advised the next public safety forum will be May 19 at 7 p.m. in the City Council Room. The topic they will focus on this time will be vagrancy. Discussion and Vote: Amend City Code Article 225, Sub-Section 225-74, Schedule IX: Prohibited Turns at Intersections (16-181) Commissioner Mathiesen stated this has to do with the intersection of Hamilton Street and Ballston Avenue. Commissioner Mathiesen moved and Commissioner Scirocco seconded to amend City Code Article 225, Sub-Section 225-74, Schedule IX: Prohibited Turns at Intersections. Name of the street is Ballston Avenue, direction of travel is both, prohibited turn right truck, hours all, intersection of Hamilton. Page 11 of 13 City Council Meeting 5/3/16 Ayes – All Set Public Hearing: Amend Chapter 118 of the City Code th Commissioner Mathiesen set a public hearing for Tuesday, June 7 at 6:55 p.m. Set Public Hearing: Amend Chapter 222 of the City Code th Commissioner Mathiesen set a public hearing for Tuesday, June 7 at 6:50 p.m. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor to Sign Agreement with First Light (16-182) Commissioner Mathiesen advised First Light is a company on state contract that deals with fiber optic networking. They will provide the City with a fiber optic connection between Saratoga, Albany, and Rensselaer for the 911 system being put in place between the 3 counties. This will provide back-up capability if our server were to fail. Commissioner Mathiesen moved and Commissioner Franck seconded to authorize the mayor to sign the agreement with First Light Fiber. Funding is in line A3143124 / 54720. This agreement is for 60 months. Ayes – All Discussion: History of Town Hall Theater Commissioner Mathiesen showed a PowerPoint presentation (presentation attached). He described the rd timeline of the theater and when/what changes were made to add a 3 floor to City Hall. Discussion: Response to Mayor Yepsen’s Open Letter to the Citizens of Saratoga Springs Commissioner Mathiesen stated there are a number of points he feels should be addressed after reading the mayor’s open letter to the citizens of Saratoga Springs. The ethics code states “officers and/or employees of the City shall not engage in, solicit for, or promise to accept work for an outside employer or business who does business with the City which creates an implied conflict with or impairs the proper discharge of his or her official duties or results in personal gain.” He was presented with information in March that showed Mayor Yepsen had been soliciting, negotiating for, and promising to accept work for the Saratoga Hospital Foundation during the time the hospital was seeking a zoning change. The hospital began the zoning change process in August, 2015 and Mayor Yepsen began negotiating for a contract as a private consultant beginning in October. The hospital foundation declared they were no longer interested pursuing the relationship in January. In his opinion Mayor Yepsen has violated the ethics code. She should have refrained from seeking a private contract from the business entity for an action that she knew would require her vote. She should have declared her business relationship sooner than January when she recused herself. Mayor Yepsen thanked Commissioner Mathiesen for his comments. She stated everyone has a right to their opinion and she stated she has submitted all the information to the Ethics Board and let them do their work. Commissioner Scirocco stated he had an inquiry with the Ethics Board for a couple months and it is past the timeframe of when he should have received a response. He believes there is an issue and the mayor was not truthful with the public. st Commissioner Madigan stated she sent an inquiry to the Ethics Board on February 1 . It is now 90 days with no response. Announcement: Noise Ordinance and the Oklahoma Track Page 12 of 13 City Council Meeting 5/3/16 Commissioner Mathiesen announced a statement will now be included with building permits regarding noise near the Oklahoma Track. Tony Izzo assisted them in the statement to be included. This will go with the building permits that are near the Oklahoma Track. Discussion and Vote: Accept Resignation of an Employee (16-183) Commissioner Mathiesen moved and Commissioner Franck seconded to accept the resignation of Kevin Relyea effective April 29, 2016 and to approve the agreement between Kevin Relyea and the City of Saratoga Springs, dated May 3, 2016. As Commissioner of Public Safety, he will execute said agreement on behalf of the City. Ayes - All SUPERVISORS Matthew Veitch Supervisor Martin read the following statement from Supervisor Veitch: “I first want to thank everyone for their patience while I am away. As you know, I work as a manager for Verizon outside my job as Supervisor. From June of 2015, Verizon and the employee’s Union, The Communications Workers of America, have been in negotiations for a renewal contract. The current agreement expired in August of 2015, and at that time, I had mentioned that I might be away from Saratoga if the Union went on strike. At that time, the Union agreed to continue to work without a contract, and negotiations continued. There was much back and forth, and about a month ago, Verizon presented the Union with an offer and a deadline for the Union to accept by May 20th. Surprisingly, the Union responded on April 11th that they would strike by April 13th if there wasn’t any agreement. At 6:00 am on April 13th, the Union called a strike, and the management forces were mobilized to work their Emergency Work Assignments. I have been called to the Catskill area, to cover the network while the strike continues. I have worked every day including weekends, for 12 hours per day since that time, with only one day off so far. As of tonight, there have been several meetings between Verizon and the Union, but little progress has been made, and it appears as this may continue for some time. I would like to mention that I am available by e-mail, and if I need to be reached immediately, you can contact Pam Wright at the County 885-2240, or Gayle LaSalle at City Hall 587-3550. They have my cell phone number and can reach me anywhere. My hope is that there will be a resolution to this soon, but if not, I may also miss the 2nd meeting in May. I again want to thank the Council, my fellow Supervisors, and the public for your consideration while my outside work responsibilities take priority. Remember, all labor strikes do end, and hopefully I will be back to serving the public again soon.” Peter Martin Office of the Aging th Supervisor Martin reported the Office of the Aging is sponsoring a lunch on May 20 . All seniors from the County are invited. He has been working to put a program together for September to learn more about things that are available to them. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Mayor Yepsen adjourned the meeting at 9:56 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Lisa Ribis Clerk Approved: 5/17/16 Vote: 5 - 0 Page 13 of 13