City Council

June 5, 2018 CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS City Council Meeting City Council Room 7:00 PM 6:30 PM P.H. – Amend Chapter 225 – 4 Way Stop 6:35 PM P.H. – Amend Chapter 215 – Taxicabs 6:40 PM P.H. – Amend Chapter 148 – Noise 6:45 PM P.H. – Amend Chapter 225 – Bike Lane 7:00 PM CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL SALUTE TO FLAG PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD / 15 MINUTES PRESENTATION 1. Charter Review Update 2. 2017 Annual Report – Recreation Department CONSENT AGENDA 1. Approval of 5/14/18 Pre-Agenda Meeting Minutes 2. Approval of 5/15/18 City Council Meeting Minutes 3. Approve Budget Amendments – Regular 4. Approve Budget Transfers - Regular 5. Approve Payroll 5/18/18 $485,136.34 6. Approve Payroll 5/25/18 $481,423.14 7. Approve Payroll 6/1/18 $513,615.42 8. Approve Warrant - 2018 18MWMAY2 $2,747.23 9. Approve Warrant - 2018 18MWMAY3 $24,883.19 10. Approve Warrant – 2018 18JUN1 $604,421.61 11. Approve Warrant – 2018 18MWJUN1 $199.98 12. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for the Mayor to Sign Change Order #1 Levi Construction Services 13. Discussion and Vote: Approve Payment of Invoice – Levi Construction Services 14. Discussion and Vote: Approve Payment of Invoice – Spring Electric, Inc. MAYOR’S DEPARTMENT 1. Announcement: Skate Park Reopening Celebration – Friday, June 8, 2018 4-6 p.m. 2. Announcement: Recreation Master Plan – Survey 3. Announcement: Recreation Programs and Leagues 4. Discussion and Vote: Accept Donation from the Hawley Foundation for Camp Saradac Scholarships - $35,000 5. Discussion and Vote: Waiver of Rental Fee City Council Meeting 6/5/18 6. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor to Sign Addendum with FitzGerald, Morris, Baker, and Firth to Raise Comp Cap 7. Discussion and vote: Authorization for Mayor to Sign Contract with Hodgson Russ, LLP for Legal Counsel to Charter Review Commission 8. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for the Mayor to Sign All Documents Relating to a Sidewalk Easement for 51 Ahs Street aka Beekman 9. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for the Mayor to Sign All Documents Relating to a Sidewalk Easement for 20 Lafayette Street 10. Discussion and Vote: Merit for Review and Referral to City and County Planning Boards – Request for Comprehensive Plan Amendment from Residential Neighborhood – 1 to Equine and Related Facilities 11. Discussion and Vote: Merit for Review and Referral to City and County Planning Boards – Request for Zoning Amendment from Rural Residential to Institutional-Horse Related 12. Appointment: Community Development Citizen Advisory Committee 13. Appointment: Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENT 1. Appointment: Commissioners of Deeds for Police Department 2. Discussion: Grievance Day Update 3. Award of Bid: Lake Avenue Pump Station Sewage Pump Replacement to J Squared Construction Corp. 4. Award of Bid: Orthophosphate to Shannon Chemical Corporation FINANCE DEPARTMENT 1. Discussion and Vote: Budget Amendment – Payroll 2. Discussion and Vote: Budget Transfers – Payroll PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT 1. Discussion and Vote: Accept Donation for Memorial Benches 2. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for the Mayor to Sign Contracts for Chemical Supplies for the Water Treatment Plant 3. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for the Mayor to Sign Contract with J. Squared Construction, Inc. for the Lake Avenue Pump Station Upgrade PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT 1. Set Public Hearing: Amend Chapter 225 of the City Code with Respect to Parking on Joseph Street 2. Set Public Hearing: Amend Chapter 118 of the City Code with Respect to Enforcement Powers 3. Announcement: Report on the City Gun Buy-Back Program SUPERVISORS Matt Veitch 1. Nothing at this time. Tara Gaston 1. Upcoming County Meetings ADJOURN Page 2 of 12 City Council Meeting 6/5/18 June 5, 2018 CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS City Council Meeting City Council Room 7:00 PM PRESENT: Meg Kelly, Mayor John Franck, Commissioner of Accounts Anthony Scirocco, Commissioner of DPW Peter Martin, Commissioner of DPS STAFF PRESENT: Lisa Shields, Deputy Mayor Mike Sharp, Deputy Commissioner, Finance Maire Masterson, Deputy Commissioner, Accounts Joe O’Neill, Deputy Commissioner, DPW John Daley, Deputy Commissioner, DPS Vincent DeLeonardis Matthew Veitch, Supervisor Tara Gaston, Supervisor EXCUSED: Michele Madigan, Commissioner of Finance 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 Chapter 225 – 4 Way Stop Mayor Kelly opened the public hearing at 6:30 p.m. Commissioner Martin advised this amendment is to place a 4 way stop at the intersection of Washington Street and Walnut Street. Speed is not really an incident here but a lot of accidents occur due to the poor line of sight. Matt Rhodes of Saratoga Springs stated he lives in this area and has witnessed several accidents and has also seen many near misses. Bonnie Sellers of Saratoga Springs stated she avoids that area because the sight lines are awful. Darlene McGraw of Saratoga Springs stated she too avoids that area. She supports this amendment. Page 3 of 12 City Council Meeting 6/5/18 Mayor Kelly closed the public hearing at 6:35 p.m. Amend Chapter 215 – Taxicabs Mayor Kelly opened the public hearing at 6:35 p.m. Commissioner Martin stated the City Code was amended to require universal medallions be issued through CDTA. This requirement is being removed as CDTA is not ready to implement this yet. Darlene McGraw of Saratoga Springs stated having CDTA being able to get a piece of the pie is going to be trouble down the road. Mayor Kelly closed the public hearing at 6:40 p.m. Amend Chapter 148 – Noise Mayor Kelly opened the public hearing at 6:40 p.m. Commissioner Martin advised this amendment addresses noise in the evenings. A few establishments have been violating the noise ordinance. The ordinance currently allows for 90 decibels for outside establishments until midnight on week nights and 1 am on weekends. They are proposing weekends mean Friday night into Saturday morning and Saturday night into Sunday morning. They also want to lower decibels to 80 during the week days. Johanna Garrison of Saratoga Springs stated she is in favor of reducing the decibel level in our downtown. Dan Lynch of Saratoga Springs stated he used to listen to a lot of rock-n-roll and now he wears hearing aids. Reducing the noise level will do justice to the patrons. Ruby Springnether of Saratoga Springs stated sometimes she can’t fall asleep because of the bands playing. Mayor Kelly closed the public hearing at 6:45 p.m. Amend Chapter 225 – Bike Lane Mayor Kelly opened the public hearing at 6:45 p.m. Mayor Kelly announced 15 minutes has been designated for this topic and will allow as many people to speak as possible during that time period. She asked that people keep their comments to 2 minutes. Anyone can submit statements in writing to the clerk. Keith Forbes of Saratoga Springs stated he bikes frequently. Lake Avenue is how he gets downtown and is a very narrow area for bikes. A bike line will let cars know bikes are not illegal vehicles on the road. Caroline Stem of Saratoga Springs stated she agrees with the gentleman before her. People yell at her to get on the sidewalk which is illegal. Johanna Garrison of Saratoga Springs stated she is a biker and concurs with the 2 previous speakers. The #1 piece of feedback given in surveys is if the streets were safer they would bike more. Tony of 190 Lake Avenue thanked the Council for adopting a Complete Streets Plan and encouraged them to implement the bike lanes Page 4 of 12 City Council Meeting 6/5/18 Resident of 37 Park Place stated she would like to see the City proceed with implementation of this plan. Bob Littman of Saratoga Springs stated most of his clients are commercial clients. They struggle to bring good quality employees to this area. One reason is due to the recreation; employees look to see if this is a bike friendly area. Jonathan Segul of 123 Middle Avenue stated he taught at BOCES on Henning Road and would bike to work even in the mild winters. Lake Avenue bike lanes are a good piece to the puzzle. Jane Kromm, president of St. Clements School stated biking is a great idea but she is concerned about the congestion that is already on Lake Avenue. She read a letter from the pastor of St. Clements (attached). Todd Shimkus of Saratoga Springs and the President of the Chamber of Commerce stated becoming a more bike friendly city is a goal. They fully support installing bike lanes on Lake Avenue. Every sector in this community is struggling to attract talent. The talent that is willing to come is looking for public transportation and bike-ability. Bob Turner of Saratoga Springs stated he supports everything Todd Shimkus said. He wants the lanes on Lake Avenue and wants a bike friendly community. Ed of 180 Circular Street stated he is in support of bike lanes on Lake Avenue and anywhere else. Adding bike lanes will add money to the community. Harry Moran of Saratoga Springs stated he rode his bike to this meeting. In addition to the safety issue, a lot of this is about changing the culture. All forms of transportation have a place on our roads. Young resident of Saratoga Springs stated it would be safer to have bike lanes on Lake Avenue because of having a school there. David Torres of Saratoga Springs stated he is against the bike lane on Route 29 which is a truck route. He sometimes has to go in front of his house to stop traffic to allow women with baby carriages to cross. Mayor Kelly closed the public hearing at 7:05 p.m. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Kelly called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.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 7:06 p.m. Bonnie Sellers of Saratoga Springs stated we should take into consideration the state and/or county regarding the bike lane on Lake Avenue. This road being a truck route may play a part in this. Ben Gleeksman of Saratoga Springs thanked the City and City Council for making the upgrades to the skate park at the east side rec. Darlene McGraw of Saratoga Springs stated more public transportation should be accessible. Page 5 of 12 City Council Meeting 6/5/18 Jason Tepper of 28 Second Street stated he is here to talk about public safety and pedestrian accessibility. He put together a committee for the north side of the area and would like to meet with each member of the Council. Erin Maciel of Saratoga Springs stated she is here to talk about walk-ability. She is a landscape architect registered in New York State. She has worked with DOT and learned various methods of how to make a city walk-able. Emma Hanson of 20 fourth street and stated she is here for a Skidmore student that was hit and killed on Halloween. Nothing has changed since that accident. Clinton Street is a corridor for the students. Mayor Kelly closed the public comment period at 7:16 p.m. Commissioner Martin responded to Mr. Torres stating he is very concerned if people are passing his home at 40 mph if it is a 15 mph zone. Also, NYS takes the position that Lake Avenue enters into the inner district of the City, it is completely under the control and responsibility of the City. Commissioner Franck stated bike lanes were installed on North Broadway a few years ago. He has found a huge difference once the bike lanes were installed; it’s safer. PRESENTATION Charter Review Commission Update Vince DeLeonardis, city attorney and chair of the Charter Review Commission stated the Commission has met on 3 occasions since the last City Council meeting. They have completed their initial review of the Charter. He provided the following update of items discussed: • Term limits and salaries • Role of county supervisors, Civil Service Commission • Deputy qualifications • Appointments and the appointment process • Capital program • Human Resource administration • Parks, recreation, and open space • Internal auditing • Assessor • Attorney and legal department • Text language changes He and Tony Izzo will be working on a red-lined draft. The next meeting is Wednesday, June 13th at 4 p.m. 2017 Annual Report – Recreation Department John Hirliman of the Recreation Department presented the 2017 Annual Report. Their mission is to create fun, safe, affordable activities, and to enrich the community’s quality of life through outstanding recreation programs, resources, and facilities for all individuals. They focus on programs, facilities, community, and volunteers. Some of their programs are: soccer, youth basketball, tiny basketball, introduction to ice skating, and Camp Saradac. The Recreation Department has over 220 program volunteers. John advised that overall, they were 5% under budget while revenues exceeded the budget by 4%. (a full copy of the report is attached and filed in the City Clerk’s Office) Page 6 of 12 City Council Meeting 6/5/18 CONSENT AGENDA Mayor Kelly moved and Commissioner Franck seconded to accept the consent agenda as follows: 1. Approval of 5/14/18 Pre-Agenda Meeting Minutes 2. Approval of 5/15/18 City Council Meeting Minutes 3. Approve Budget Amendments – Regular 4. Approve Budget Transfers – Regular 5. Approve Payroll 5/18/18 $485,136.34 6. Approve Payroll 5/25/18 $481,423.14 7. Approve Payroll 6/1/18 $513,615.42 8. Approve Warrant – 2018 18MWMAY2 $2,747.23 9. Approve Warrant – 2018 18MWMAY3 $24,883.19 10. Approve Warrant – 2018 18JUN1 $604,421.61 11. Approve Warrant – 2018 18MWJUN1 $199.98 12. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for the Mayor to Sign Change Order #1 Levi Construction Services 13. Discussion and Vote: Approve Payment of Invoice – Levi Construction Services 14. Discussion and Vote: Approve Payment of Invoice – Spring Electric, Inc. Ayes – All MAYOR’S DEPARTMENT Announcement: Skate Park Reopening Celebration – Friday, June 8, 2018 4-6 p.m. th John Hirliman announced the reopening celebration of the skate park will be held on Friday, June 8 from 4 – 6 p.m. Announcement: Recreation Master Plan – Survey John Hirliman announced the online version will be opened up to anyone in the community and the hard copy went to the residents of Saratoga Springs. Announcement: Recreation Programs and Leagues John Hirliman announced fall registration for soccer is open. There is still a little room in Camp Saradac and summer programs. Discussion and Vote: Accept Donation from the Hawley Foundation for Camp Saradac Scholarships - $35,000 (18-174) Mayor Kelly moved and Commissioner Franck seconded to accept the donation from the Hawley Foundation. Ayes - All Discussion and Vote: Waiver of Rental Fee (18-175) John Hirliman advised the Saratoga Springs Fire Department/Police Department baseball team is holding 4 charity softball games and are looking for the fee for the use of the field to be waived. Mayor Kelly moved and Commissioner Martin seconded to approve the waiver of the rental fee. Ayes – All Page 7 of 12 City Council Meeting 6/5/18 Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor to Sign Addendum with FitzGerald, Morris, Baker, and Firth to Raise Comp Cap (18-176) Mayor Kelly advised the city attorney is requesting an increase in the existing contract for an eminent domain matter. The cap will increase from $23,000 to $$26,500. Mayor Kelly moved and Commissioner Franck seconded to authorize the mayor to sign addendum with FitzGerald, Morris, Baker, and Firth. Ayes - All Discussion and vote: Authorization for Mayor to Sign Contract with Hodgson Russ, LLP for Legal Counsel to Charter Review Commission (18-177) Mayor Kelly advised the amount of the contract is not to exceed $15,000. Mayor Kelly moved and Commissioner Franck seconded to authorize the mayor to sign the contract with Hodgson Russ, LLP for legal counsel to the Charter Review Commission. Ayes - All Discussion and Vote: Authorization for the Mayor to Sign All Documents Relating to a Sidewalk Easement for 51 Ash Street aka Beekman (18-178) Mayor Kelly moved and Commissioner Franck seconded to authorize the mayor to sign all documents relating to the sidewalk easement for 51 Ash Street, aka Beekman. Ayes – All Discussion and Vote: Authorization for the Mayor to Sign All Documents Relating to a Sidewalk Easement for 20 Lafayette Street (18-179) Mayor Kelly moved and Commissioner Franck seconded to authorize the mayor to sign all documents relating to the sidewalk easement for 20 Lafayette Street. Ayes – All Discussion and Vote: Merit for Review and Referral to City and County Planning Boards – Request for Comprehensive Plan Amendment from Residential Neighborhood – 1 to Equine and Related Facilities (18- 180) Mayor Kelly moved and Commissioner Scirocco seconded to approve the merit for review and the referral to the City and County Planning Boards for a request for a comprehensive plan amendment for Residential 1 to Equine Related Facilities. Ayes – All Discussion and Vote: Merit for Review and Referral to City and County Planning Boards – Request for Zoning Amendment from Rural Residential to Institutional-Horse Related (18-181) Mayor Kelly moved and Commissioner Franck seconded to approve the merit for review and refer to the City and Council Planning Boards for a request for zoning amendment from Rural Residential to Institutional-Horse Related. Ayes – All Page 8 of 12 City Council Meeting 6/5/18 Appointment: Community Development Citizen Advisory Committee Mayor Kelly appointed Diane Winter to the Community Development Citizen Advisory Committee. Appointment: Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation Mayor Kelly appointed Sandra Fox to the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation. ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENT Appointment: Commissioners of Deeds for Police Department Commissioner Franck appointed the following police officers as commissioners of deeds: • Nicolle C. Pulcher-Guzek • Jeffrey R. Hargett • Caleb R. Bentley • Steven J. Childs • Neal A. Wright • Adam K. Campbell Discussion: Grievance Day Update Commissioner Franck announced grievance day was held on Tuesday, May 22nd. There was a total of 41 grievance applications submitted for review to the Board of Assessment Review. The breakdown of the applications submitted is as follows: • 37 – single family homes • 0 – condos • 0 – two family homes • 3 – commercial properties • 1 – vacant parcels • 0 – recreational facility • 0 – seasonal residence People who grieved their assessment will be notified of the board’s decision in writing - which were mailed on Tuesday, May 29th. Year # of Parcels 2004 869 2005 708 2006 130 2007 100 2008 129 2009 139 2010 165 2011 287 2012 182 2013 165 2014 101 2015 80 2016 70 2017 75 2018 41 Page 9 of 12 City Council Meeting 6/5/18 Award of Bid: Lake Avenue Pump Station Sewage Pump Replacement to J Squared Construction Corp. (18-182) Commissioner Franck moved and Commissioner Martin seconded to award the bid for the Lake Avenue Pump Station Sewage Pump Replacement to J. Squared Construction Corp for an amount not to exceed $41,000. They were the lowest qualified bidder. Funding is in line: H3638122 / 52000 / 1183. Ayes - All Award of Bid: Orthophosphate to Shannon Chemical Corporation (18-183) Commissioner Franck moved and Commissioner Scirocco seconded to award the bid for orthophosphate to Shannon Chemical Corporation for an amount not to exceed $33,707.52. They were the lowest qualified bidder. Funding is in line: F3638334 / 54141. Ayes - All FINANCE DEPARTMENT Discussion and Vote: Budget Amendment – Payroll (18-184) Mayor Kelly moved and Commissioner Franck seconded to approve the budget amendment – payroll as previously distributed with the agenda. Ayes - All Discussion and Vote: Budget Transfers – Payroll (18-185) Mayor Kelly moved and Commissioner Franck seconded to approve the budget transfers – payroll as previously distributed with the agenda. Ayes – All PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT Discussion and Vote: Accept Donation for Memorial Benches (18-186) Commissioner Scirocco advised a memorial bench has been purchased in the amount of $1,500 in memory of Carl Dana. This bench will be placed on Broadway in front of the Arts Center. Another bench has been purchased in the amount of $1,500 in memory of Richard C. Phillips. This bench will be placed in Congress Park. Commissioner Scirocco moved and Commissioner Franck seconded to accept the donation of two benches in the amount of $1,500 each for the purchase of two decorative benches. Ayes - All Discussion and Vote: Authorization for the Mayor to Sign Contracts for Chemical Supplies for the Water Treatment Plant (18-187) Page 10 of 12 City Council Meeting 6/5/18 Commissioner Scirocco moved and Commissioner Franck seconded to authorize the mayor to sign contracts with Holland Company, Inc. for $40,000, Surpass Chemical Company for $40,000, Univar USA for $20,000, and Shannon Chemical Corporation for $40,000 for chemical supplies at the Water Treatment Plant. Ayes – All Discussion and Vote: Authorization for the Mayor to Sign Contract with J. Squared Construction, Inc. for the Lake Avenue Pump Station Upgrade (18-188) Commissioner Scirocco moved and Commissioner Franck seconded to authorize the mayor to sign a contract with J. Squared Construction, Inc. for the Lake Avenue Pump Station Upgrade Project in the amount of $41,000. Ayes - All PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT Set Public Hearing: Amend Chapter 225 of the City Code with Respect to Parking on Joseph Street Commissioner Martin set a public hearing for Tuesday, June 19, 2018 at 6:50 p.m. Set Public Hearing: Amend Chapter 118 of the City Code with Respect to Enforcement Powers Commissioner Martin set a public hearing for Tuesday, June 19, 2018 at 6:45 p.m. Announcement: Report on the City Gun Buy-Back Program Commissioner Martin announced the gun buy-back program held this past Saturday was a success. They distributed all gift cards and didn’t have enough for all the guns collected. SUPERVISORS Matt Veitch Supervisor Veitch reported the Saratoga County Law Library Board of Trustees met today. They found the statute forces them to have the library in the City of Saratoga Springs so they are looking for another location. Tara Gaston Upcoming County Meetings th th Supervisor Gaston reported June 6 is a health and social services meeting, June 13 is the Law and Finance meeting followed by the agenda meeting, and June 19th is the full board meeting. All of these meetings are open to the public, however; public comment is not allowed at all of these meetings. Page 11 of 12 City Council Meeting 6/5/18 ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Mayor Kelly adjourned the meeting at 8:06 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Lisa Ribis Clerk Approved: 6/19/18 Vote: 5 - 0 Page 12 of 12