City Council

March 9, 2018 CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS City Council Meeting City Council Room 11:00 AM 11:00 AM CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL SALUTE TO FLAG PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD / 15 MINUTES CONSENT AGENDA 1. Nothing at this time. MAYOR’S DEPARTMENT 1. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor to Sign Addendum to Lease Agreement Between the City and the Saratoga Springs City Center ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENT 1. Nothing at this time. FINANCE DEPARTMENT 1. Nothing at this time. PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT 1. Nothing at this time. PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT 1. Nothing at this time. SUPERVISORS 1. Nothing at this time ADJOURN City Council Meeting 3/9/18 March 9, 2018 CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS City Council Meeting City Council Room 11:00 AM PRESENT: Meg Kelly, Mayor Michele Madigan, Commissioner of Finance John Franck, Commissioner of Accounts Anthony Scirocco, Commissioner of DPW Peter Martin, Commissioner of DPS STAFF PRESENT: Lisa Shields, Deputy Mayor Maire Masterson, Deputy Commissioner, Accounts Joe O’Neill, Deputy Commissioner, DPW Vincent DeLeonardis EXCUSED: Mike Sharp, Deputy Commissioner, Finance John Daley, Deputy Commissioner, DPS Matthew Veitch, Supervisor Tara Gaston, 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 Kelly called the meeting to order at 11:00 a.m. PUBLIC COMENT Mayor Kelly said the public comment period is limited to a total of 15 minutes and individuals are limited to two minutes. Mayor Kelly opened the public comment period at 11:01 a.m. Eric Lawson, chair of the Social Justice Committee of the Unitarian Universalist Church stated when entering the City, you pass signs stating Health, History, and Horses. It does not mention guns. The City should take steps it can to probity the sale or marketing of guns and ammunition on City property. Deirdre Ladd of Saratoga Springs stated on behalf of Saratogians for Gun Safety, she thanked the mayor for taking the initiative to amend the City Center’s lease prohibiting the sale of guns and ammunition at the City Center. They petitioned and opposed gun shows at City owned facilities. Page 2 of 4 City Council Meeting 3/9/18 nd Sam Brewer of Saratoga Springs stated the 2 Amendment is an enumerated individual right and cannot be restricted or curtailed by lower governments. City doesn’t have the authority to restrict guns and ammunition sales within the City. Reverend Joe Cleveland of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Saratoga Springs applauds the Council for taking this step. John Brueggemann of Saratoga Springs stated he is grateful the Council is giving this consideration. The City is indirectly facilitating the sale of fire arms. He asked the Council to vote to end the partnership. Julianne Lewis of Saratoga Springs is in favor of keeping the sale of guns outside the City. Curtis Capellanno, chair of the Capital District Chapter of the Shooters Committee on Political Education stated signing this lease is government overreach. The gun show is a safe place where families attend and no crime has occurred because of it. Every purchase goes through a background check. He urged the Council not to sign the addendum. Don Hall of Saratoga Springs stated he spent his career as an elementary school principal. He encountered students with guns but these students didn’t buy them from shows; they stole them. Stopping a guns sale, legal transaction, is ruining a man’s livelihood. This is overdone. Randall of Saratoga Springs stated he disagrees with the Council. It is a Constitutional right and puts the City at risk for denying self protection. There has never been a crime at the gun shows. He encouraged the Council to vote against this. Donna Hayes of Saratoga Springs stated she is against any gun sales in this town. David Bronner of Saratoga Springs stated he believes the Council needs to present a resolution that the City doesn’t want the show here. It should be done at a normal City Council meeting not at 11 a.m. when most people are working. This should be tabled and done right. Kathy of Circular Street Saratoga Springs stated she grew up overseas. Other countries don’t experience school shootings. They have a 30 day waiting period for the purchase of a gun. Mayor Kelly closed the public comment period at 11:16 a.m. MAYOR’S DEPARTMENT Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor to Sign Addendum to Lease Agreement Between the City and the Saratoga Springs City Center (18-082) Mayor Kelly moved and Commissioner Madigan seconded to authorize the mayor to execute the lease agreement amendment between the City of Saratoga Springs and the City Center Authority as attached to the agenda. Mayor Kelly announced this addendum was unanimously approved by the City Center Authority. This addendum will not affect the May show that is scheduled. There will not be any further shows after that one. Commissioner Scirocco stated security in City owned buildings are a focal point. He is going to support this. Mayor Kelly advised local clergy will be offering a gun buy-back program. Page 3 of 4 City Council Meeting 3/9/18 Commissioner Madigan stated she is pleased to support the amending land lease. She commended Mayor Kelly and will be supporting this. The City has a right to do as they please with their own property. They have been looking for a solution for the past 5 years. Commissioner Martin stated he will support this. It is consistent with the spirit of our City and with what the majority of what our citizens would like. Commissioner Franck stated he is concerned in general. The Council is united. Saratoga Springs has had a lot of scary experiences here. He agrees there has never been a problem with the gun show but that’s not the issue. He hopes they serve as an example to other cities that are currently leasing space to gun shows in their municipalities. Ayes – All ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Mayor Kelly adjourned the meeting at 11:29 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Lisa Ribis Clerk Approved: 3/20/18 Vote: 5 - 0 Page 4 of 4