City Council

January 1, 2020 CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS City Council Meeting 1863 Club - Saratoga Race Course 1:00 PM 1:00 PM CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL SALUTE TO FLAG MAYOR’S DEPARTMENT 1. Appointments 2. Remarks ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENT 1. Appointments 2. Remarks FINANCE DEPARTMENT 1. Appointments 2. Remarks PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT 1. Appointments 2. Remarks PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT 1. Appointments 2. Remarks SUPERVISORS Matthew Veitch 1. Remarks Tara Gaston 1. Remarks ADJOURN City Council Meeting 1/1/20 January 1, 2020 CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS City Council Meeting 1863 Club - Saratoga Race Course 1:00 PM PRESENT: Meg Kelly, Mayor Michele Madigan, Commissioner of Finance John Franck, Commissioner of Accounts Anthony Scirocco, Commissioner of DPW Robin Dalton, Commissioner of DPS STAFF PRESENT: Lisa Shields, Deputy Mayor Deidre Ladd, Deputy Commissioner, Finance Maire Masterson, Deputy Commissioner, Accounts Eileen Finneran, Deputy Commissioner, DPS Vincent DeLeonardis 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 1:25 p.m. MAYOR’S DEPARTMENT Mayor Kelly stated it is her privilege to welcome everyone to the first City Council meeting of the new year. She thanked the citizens for allowing her to be here and she is grateful to the many volunteers who serve on the City’s many boards and committees. She specifically thanked Mike Veitch for his endless hours working to get us back into City Hall. She thanked NYRA for helping the City realize the thirst fire station. The Geyser Road trail is ready for groundbreaking and Code Blue has found a temporary home. After 30 years, the City Center garage is being built. The zoning map has been brought into compliance by law. Mayor Kelly appointed the following people into the respective positions: Lisa Shields as Deputy Mayor, M. Lynn Bachner as Executive Assistant, Vince DeLeonardis as City Attorney, and Tony Izzo as Assistant City Attorney. Page 2 of 4 City Council Meeting 1/1/20 Mayor Kelly stated a new journey together begins today and together we will move Saratoga Springs forward. ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENT Commissioner Franck stated he is re-appointing Maire Masterson as his deputy. Maire joined the department in 2015 and opened up the lines of communication with local businesses. Commissioner Franck thanked his family for being here. He is starting his 15th year as Commissioner of Accounts. He complemented the mayor, commissioners, and supervisors on their accomplishments. He also thanked each of his staff members for their dedication and hard work and wished everyone a Happy New Year. FINANCE DEPARTMENT Commissioner Madigan appointed Deidre O’Dwyer-Ladd as her deputy. She thanked her mom, aunt, husband, and kids for being there and their support. She also thanked Charlie Brown, her campaign manager and Courtney DeLeonardis for all their support and work on her campaign. Commissioner Madigan congratulated all her colleagues and stated she is proud to be part of the first women majority City Council. Work will continue on installing fiber on all City streets; street lighting program; advocating for complete streets; and to work with DPW and high school students on single stream recycling in downtown. She will continue on budgeting for the present while planning for the future. PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT Commissioner Scirocco stated in February he will be re-appointing Joe O’Neill as his deputy. He is not able to appoint him at this time due to Civil Service rules. He re-appointed Rachael Fragomeni as his executive assistant. Commissioner Scirocco thanked Mike Veitch for the countless hours he puts in. He stated he has a great team and his employees are second to none. The next two years will be filled with grand openings and challenges. The renovation to City Hall is respective of history and modernization to better serve the public. Challenges include the flooding in areas of the City such as Gilbert Road and Geyser Crest that need to be resolved. PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT Commissioner Dalton appointed Eileen Finneran as her deputy. Her primary focus is the police and fire having what they need to do their jobs. She thanked the citizens and her family for their support. SUPERVISORS Matthew Veitch Supervisor Veitch stated has been a great honor serving for the past 12 years. He thanked his family and the citizens for their support. He congratulated the entire City Council and Supervisor Gaston. The County is in a strong position at the start of 2020. The public safety building in on budget and schedule for completion. Challenges on the County for 2020 include bail reform and the issuance of drivers’ licenses to the undocumented. Page 3 of 4 City Council Meeting 1/1/20 His goal for 2020 is simple – to effectively work with the City Council and to do his best to represent all Saratogians as their supervisor. Tara Gaston Supervisor Gaston thanked the City Council for their hard work and Matt Veitch for his patience and guidance with the County. The County dealt with many controversial issues such as early voting, school resource officers, and Code Blue. She has been proud to represent her City. During this term, she will continue her focus on transparency and accountability in government. Her two priorities are the resiliency of the community and to develop a permanent and streamlined plan to help those experiencing homelessness. Mayor Kelly acknowledged the arrival of Congressman Paul Tonko. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Mayor Kelly adjourned the meeting at 2:18 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Lisa Ribis Clerk Approved: 1/21/20 Vote: 5 - 0 Page 4 of 4