City Council

October 6, 2020 CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS City Council Meeting City Hall 474 Broadway 7:00 PM 7:00 PM CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL SALUTE TO FLAG PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD / 15 MINUTES PRESENTATION 1. 2021 Comprehensive Budget – City of Saratoga Springs Presentation Begins at 6:00 p.m. CONSENT AGENDA 1. Approval of 3/16/2020 City Council Meeting Transcription 2. Approval of 4/20/2020 Pre-Agenda Transcript 3. Approval of 4/2/2020 City Council Meeting Minutes 4. Approval of 4/6/2020 Pre-Agenda Meeting Minutes 5. Approval of 4/7/2020 City Council Meeting Minutes 6. Approval of 5/19/2020 City Council Meeting Minutes 7. Approval of 5/4/2020 Pre-Agenda Meeting Minutes 8. Approval of 6/15/2020 City Council pre-Agenda Transcription Meeting Minutes 9. Approval of 6/15/2020 Pre-Agenda Meeting Minutes 10. Approval of 6/16/2020 City Council Transcription Meeting Minutes 11. Approval of 6/16/2020 City Council Meeting Minutes 12. Approval of 6/2/2020 City Council Transcription Meeting Minutes 13. Approval of 6/2/2020 City Council Minutes 14. Approval of 7/21/2020 City Council Meeting Minutes 15. Approval of 7/6/2020 Pre-Agenda Meeting Transcript 16. Approval of 8/3/2020 City Council Pre-Agenda Transcription Meeting Minutes 17. Approval of 8/3/2020 Pre-Agenda Meeting Minutes 18. Approval of 8/31/2020 Pre-Agenda Meeting Minutes 19. Approval of 8/4/2020 City Council Meeting Transcription Minutes 20. Approval of 8/4/2020 City Council Meeting Minutes 21. Approval of 9/17/2020 City Council Meeting Transcription 22. Approval of 9/1/2020 City Council Meeting Minutes 23. Approval of 9/14/2020 Pre-Agenda Meeting Minutes 24. Approval of 9/15/2020 City Council Meeting Minutes 25. Approve Budget Transfers – Regular 26. Approve Budget Amendments – Insurance 27. Approve Budget Amendments – Regular (Increases) 28. Approve Payroll 9/18/20 $524,092 29. Approve Payroll 9/25/20 $545,092.35 City Council Meeting 10/6/2020 30. Approve Payroll 10/2/20 $489,798.97 31. Approve Warrant – 2020 20OCT1 $470,363.38 32. Approve Warrant – 20MWSEP2 $75,703.34 33. Approve Warrant – 20MWSEP3 $4,116.85 34. Approve Warrant – 20MWSEP4 $4,187,593.52 MAYOR’S DEPARTMENT 1. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor to Sign Workforce Housing Unit Deed 289 Jefferson Street – Unit 16 2. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor to Sign Workforce Housing Unit Deed 166 Jefferson Street – Unit 3 3. Discussion and Vote: Consideration of Deferral of Lead Agency Status to the Planning Board for SEQRA Review for the Crescent Ave. Subdivision Application – 125 Jackson Street 4. Discussion and Vote: Sale of City Property to Smith Cassier Real Estate Holdings, LLC 5. Announcement: COVID-19 Emergency Housing Assistance Program ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENT 1. Award of Bid: Advanced Transportation Controllers & Software to Northeast Signal, Inc. 2. Appointment: Commissioner of Deeds 3. Award of Bid: Traffic Signal Malfunction Monitoring Units (MMU) & Cables to Marbelite Co., Inc. FINANCE DEPARTMENT 1. Submission: 2021 Comprehensive Budget 2. Announcement: Budget Workshop Schedule 3. Update: Complete Streets Presentation – Conceptual Plan 4. Discussion and Vote: Update – Finance Policy and Procedure Manual 5. Discussion and Vote: Budget Amendments – Payroll 6. Discussion and Vote: Budget Transfers – Contingency 7. Discussion and Vote: Budget Transfers – Payroll PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT 1. Discussion and Vote: Approval to Pay Invoices #210809, #211371, #211080, and #211610 in Total Amount of $7,724 to Pallette Stone Corp. 2. Announcement: Saratoga County Resident Tire Recycling Program 3. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor to Sign Contract with SRI Fire Sprinkler, LLC for Fire Suppression Services PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT 1. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor to Sign Amendment with Biometrics4All 2. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor to Sign Authorized User Agreements with Verizon Wireless for the Fire Department and DPS Office 3. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor to Sign Contract with Marbelite Co., Inc. for Traffic Signal Improvements 4. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor to Sign Contract with Northeast Signal 5. Discussion and Vote: Resolution – NYRA SUPERVISORS Matt Veitch 1. 2021 Saratoga County Capital Program Page 2 of 12 City Council Meeting 10/6/2020 Tara Gaston 1. COVID-19 Update 2. NY Alert App 3. County Flex Work Policy 4. Woodlawn Lease ADJOURN Page 3 of 12 City Council Meeting 10/6/2020 October 6, 2020 CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS City Council Meeting City Hall 474 Broadway 7:00 PM PRESENT: Meg Kelly, Mayor Michele Madigan, Commissioner of Finance John Franck, Commissioner of Accounts Robin Dalton, Commissioner of DPS STAFF PRESENT: Lisa Shields, Deputy Mayor Deirdre Ladd, Deputy Commissioner of Finance Maire Masterson, Deputy Commissioner, Accounts Joe O’Neill, Deputy Commissioner, DPW Eileen Finneran, Deputy Commissioner, DPS Vincent DeLeonardis Matthew Veitch, Supervisor Tara Gaston, Supervisor EXCUSED: Anthony Scirocco, Commissioner of DPW 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 7:01 p.m. PUBLIC COMMENT 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 7:02 p.m. Rob Arrigo of 24 Preserve Way stated he has two questions relating to the budget. An ad has been placed on social media that the City spends millions of dollars annually for retirement benefits of ex-City Council members. Is that true? Based upon what was just seen in the budget presentation, can the City afford to change its Charter? Page 4 of 12 City Council Meeting 10/6/2020 Chris Zieker of Saratoga Springs asked the Council to stop selective non-enforcement of certain laws and trying to appease certain criminals. Criminals who are blocking our streets and harassing citizens need to be arrested. Corina Rizzuto of 21 Beacon Hill Drive asked for the laws we have to be enforced. Peaceful protests are ok but if it bleeds over into harassment of people who live here, we need to enforce our laws and make sure it doesn’t happen. The community supports the efforts of keeping our town the town that it is. She appreciates the efforts of our Police Department. Joe Moran stated he is a retired NYPD sergeant. He doesn’t understand why Black Lives Matters gets special treatment over anyone else. No one in Saratoga has ever caused them harm. They have assassinated 5 officers in Texas. If we have to obey the law they should have to obey it as well. They are the only ones who suffered; the Irish were slaves to. Ed Spickler of 13 Lilac Lane he is here to support the men and women of the law enforcement. He is disappointed the Council did not support the back the blue rally. Let the police force do their job. Erik Sudigala of 9 Magnolia Drive asked the Council to support this Police Department. If we don’t start doing things to prevent that, innocent people may lose their cool. A bigger crime might occur because smaller crimes are not taken care of. Kristen Dart of N. Broadway stated she is ashamed of the council meeting last week. Calling a meeting to state it is going to enforce the law could have been done via a press release. You allowed black and brown people to be shamed. The protests made people uncomfortable but black and brown people are uncomfortable walking into stores every day. Sam Brewer of Saratoga Springs stated he is here on 2 issues. He believes it is important that the rule of law is held up and people follow the rules. He feels a larger room should be used for Council meetings and allow for more seats. David Buchert stated he was at the 7/30 protest and shot video #1 which is on your site. The leader of All of Us used profane language; no one else is talking like that. Behind him are the Skidmore kids cheering him on and no one condemns that. He is calling everyone else a racists and he is the only one who is really racist. Justin Farrington stated we don’t have a dialog here like other City Councils. Scheduling a meeting at 4 p.m. on a workday was clearly to keep the public out. Darlene McGraw of Saratoga Springs seconded what Justin said regarding not giving an address. She asked for a number of what affordable housing means. Our public safety, public works, and code enforcement is a disgrace. Phil Marris of 8 Jones Road stated the BLM is political. It’s about this election. Their website Act Blue donations go to Joe Biden’s candidacy. Jane Wiehe of Saratoga Springs thanked Commissioner Madigan and staff for budget presentation. If the Charter change passes this year, there will have to be additional expenses added to the budget. Joy King of 6 Marion Avenue stated she appreciates everything everyone here does. Her father was a police officer and she encounters something racists everyday. People are not owning up to things. Commissioner Dalton stated its clear the experience of being white in Saratoga and the experience of being black in Saratoga is not the same. She sees the group All of Us as not being the solution and they are not helping. Page 5 of 12 City Council Meeting 10/6/2020 Commissioner Madigan stated there are not millions of dollars being spent on lifetime health care benefits for commissioners or mayors. There is no money for the charter change. Change always costs money. Mayor Kelly closed the public comment period at 7:27 p.m. CONSENT AGENDA Mayor Kelly moved and Commissioner Franck seconded to approve the consent agenda as follows: 1. Approval of 3/16/2020 City Council Meeting Transcription 2. Approval of 4/20/2020 Pre-Agenda Transcript 3. Approval of 4/2/2020 City Council Meeting Minutes 4. Approval of 4/6/2020 Pre-Agenda Meeting Minutes 5. Approval of 4/7/2020 City Council Meeting Minutes 6. Approval of 5/19/2020 City Council Meeting Minutes 7. Approval of 5/4/2020 Pre-Agenda Meeting Minutes 8. Approval of 6/15/2020 City Council pre-Agenda Transcription Meeting Minutes 9. Approval of 6/15/2020 Pre-Agenda Meeting Minutes 10. Approval of 6/16/2020 City Council Transcription Meeting Minutes 11. Approval of 6/16/2020 City Council Meeting Minutes 12. Approval of 6/2/2020 City Council Transcription Meeting Minutes 13. Approval of 6/2/2020 City Council Minutes 14. Approval of 7/21/2020 City Council Meeting Minutes 15. Approval of 7/6/2020 Pre-Agenda Meeting Transcript 16. Approval of 8/3/2020 City Council Pre-Agenda Transcription Meeting Minutes 17. Approval of 8/3/2020 Pre-Agenda Meeting Minutes 18. Approval of 8/31/2020 Pre-Agenda Meeting Minutes 19. Approval of 8/4/2020 City Council Meeting Transcription Minutes 20. Approval of 8/4/2020 City Council Meeting Minutes 21. Approval of 9/17/2020 City Council Meeting Transcription 22. Approval of 9/1/2020 City Council Meeting Minutes 23. Approval of 9/14/2020 Pre-Agenda Meeting Minutes 24. Approval of 9/15/2020 City Council Meeting Minutes 25. Approve Budget Transfers – Regular 26. Approve Budget Amendments – Insurance 27. Approve Budget Amendments – Regular (Increases) 28. Approve Payroll 9/18/20 $524,092 29. Approve Payroll 9/25/20 $545,092.35 30. Approve Payroll 10/2/20 $489,798.97 31. Approve Warrant – 2020 20OCT1 $470,363.38 32. Approve Warrant – 20MWSEP2 $75,703.34 33. Approve Warrant – 20MWSEP3 $4,116.85 34. Approve Warrant – 20MWSEP4 $4,187,593.52 Commissioner Franck advised we had an outside company transcribe. He pulled item #s 2,10,12,15,16,19,21. Ayes – All MAYOR’S DEPARTMENT Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor to Sign Workforce Housing Unit Deed 289 Jefferson Street – Unit 16 (20-344) Page 6 of 12 City Council Meeting 10/6/2020 Mayor Kelly advised this item and the next related to 2 of the original 11 Jefferson Street workforce housing units. Mayor Kelly moved and Commissioner Madigan seconded to authorize the mayor to sign workforce- housing unit deed 289 Jefferson Street Unit 16 as described with this agenda. Ayes – All Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor to Sign Workforce Housing Unit Deed 166 Jefferson Street – Unit 3 (20-345) Mayor Kelly moved and Commissioner Madigan seconded to authorize the mayor to sign workforce- housing unit deed 166 Jefferson Street Unit 3 as described with the agenda. Ayes – All Discussion and Vote: Consideration of Deferral of Lead Agency Status to the Planning Board for SEQRA Review for the Crescent Ave. Subdivision Application – 125 Jackson Street (20-346) Vince DeLeonardis, city attorney, advised this is deferral of lead agency. The Planning Board is seeking lead agency. Mayor Kelly moved and Commissioner Dalton seconded to defer lead agency status to the Planning Board for SEQRA review for the Crescent Avenue subdivision application – 125 Jackson Street. Ayes – All Discussion and Vote: Sale of City Property to Smith Cassier Real Estate Holdings, LLC (20-347) Tony Izzo, assistant attorney, advised this is for the transfer of .18 acre parcel to an adjacent property owner by the name of Smith Cassier Real Estate Holdings, LLC. Tony read a short environmental assessment form and gave the answers proposed by the mayor. Mayor Kelly moved and Commissioner Madigan seconded to declare a negative declaration under the state environmental quality review act. Ayes - All Mayor Kelly moved and Commissioner Madigan seconded to approve the sale of city property to Smith Cassier Real Estate Holdings, LLC. Ayes – All Mayor Kelly moved and Commissioner Madigan seconded to authorize the mayor to sign all documents relating to this action. Ayes - All Announcement: COVID-19 Emergency Housing Assistance Program Mayor Kelly advised rental income assistance is available through CAPTAIN, Catholic Charities, Shelters of Saratoga, Veterans and Community Housing Coalition, Legal Aid Society, Salvation Army, Transitional Services Association, and Wellspring. Mayor Kelly moved and Commissioner Dalton seconded to add 2 items to her agenda, both are announcements about future agenda meetings. (20-348) Page 7 of 12 City Council Meeting 10/6/2020 Ayes – All Announcement – Temporary Change for Pre-agenda Meetings to 10 am. Mayor Kelly announced beginning October 19th, pre-agenda meetings will begin at 10 a.m. Announcement – Temporary Format Change for Council Meetings Mayor Kelly announced beginning October 20th, the format of the meetings held in the Council Room will change. ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENT Award of Bid: Advanced Transportation Controllers & Software to Northeast Signal, Inc. (20-349) Commissioner Franck moved and Commissioner Dalton seconded to award the bid for Advanced Transportation Controllers & Software to Northeast Signal, Inc. for an amount not to exceed $149,970. Ayes - All Appointment: Commissioner of Deeds Commissioner Franck appointed Paul Swiers of Public Safety and Amber Upton in the Accounts Office as commissioners of deeds. Award of Bid: Traffic Signal Malfunction Monitoring Units (MMU) & Cables to Marbelite Co., Inc. (20-350) Commissioner Franck moved and Commissioner Dalton seconded to award the bid for Traffic Signal Malfunction Monitoring Units & Cables to Marbelite Co., Inc. for an amount not to exceed $46,164. Ayes – All Commissioner Franck moved and Commissioner Madigan seconded to add item to his agenda regarding Consent Agenda Item #33. (20-351) Ayes - All Discussion and Vote: Correct Amount of 20MWSEP3 (20-352) Commissioner Franck moved and Commissioner seconded for item #33 on the agenda for the September 3rd warrant shows $4,116.85; however, the actual warrant amount was $3,038.19. I ask that that amount be approved and corrected off the earlier Consent Agenda. (20-352) Ayes - All Council broke at 7:44 pm Returned at 7:45 Page 8 of 12 City Council Meeting 10/6/2020 FINANCE DEPARTMENT Submission: 2021 Comprehensive Budget Commissioner Madigan submitted the proposed 2021 comprehensive budget to the pubic earlier this evening via livestream. A hard copy has been provided to the City Clerk’s Office. Announcement: Budget Workshop Schedule Commissioner Madigan announced the schedule has not been distributed but suggested the following:  Wednesday, October 13th at 5 p.m. for the Finance Department and the Accounts Department  Thursday, October 15th at 6 p.m. for the Department of Public Works  Monday, October 26th at 5 p.m. for the Mayor’s Department and Recreation  Wednesday, October 28th at 11 a.m. for the Capital Budget Update: Complete Streets Presentation – Conceptual Plan Commissioner Madigan advised she planned to invite the downtown businesses to a meeting so a conceptual Complete Streets Broadway Plan could be presented to them. An article went out over social media about this plan and contained misinformation. This is a community driven project. Some feedback has been solicited. There is no money for this plan at this time. Discussion and Vote: Update – Finance Policy and Procedure Manual (20-353) Commissioner Madigan advised changes were made to the certification of sufficient funds to allow for electronic signature and signing the payroll register is no longer necessary. Commissioner Madigan moved and Commissioner Dalton seconded to approve the updated Finance Policy and Procedure Manual as included with the agenda. Ayes – All Discussion and Vote: Budget Amendments – Payroll (20-354) Commissioner Madigan moved and Commissioner Dalton seconded to approve budget amendments – payroll as included with the agenda. Ayes – All Discussion and Vote: Budget Transfers – Contingency (20-355) Commissioner Madigan advised this is for an article 7 settlement in the amount of $13,201.72. The current balance in contingency is $67,985.39 and $54,783.67 will remain after this transfer. Commissioner Madigan moved and Commissioner Dalton seconded to approve budget transfers – contingency as included with the agenda. Ayes – All Discussion and Vote: Budget Transfers – Payroll (20-356) Commissioner Madigan moved and Commissioner Dalton seconded to approve budget transfers – payroll as included with the agenda. Ayes - All Page 9 of 12 City Council Meeting 10/6/2020 PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT Mayor Kelly presented Commissioner Scirocco’s agenda in his absence. Discussion and Vote: Approval to Pay Invoices #210809, #211371, #211080, and #211610 in Total Amount of $7,724 to Pallette Stone Corp. (20-357) Mayor Kelly advised this is for the Katrina Trask Gateway sidewalk. DPW decided to install sidewalks resulting in savings of $40,000. Mayor Kelly moved and Commissioner Dalton seconded to pay the four invoices #210809 in the, #211371, #211080, and #211610 for a total amount of $7,724 to Pallette Stone Corp. Ayes – All Announcement: Saratoga County Resident Tire Recycling Program Mayor Kelly announced on November 3rd a tire and recycling event will be held at ice rink on Weibel Ave. Proof of residency required. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor to Sign Contract with SRI Fire Sprinkler, LLC for Fire Suppression Services (20-358) Mayor Kelly advised for inspection, maintenance and repairs for various City buildings. Commissioner Scirocco moved and Commissioner Dalton seconded for the mayor to sign contract with SRI Fire Sprinkler for fire suppression services in the amount not to exceed the unit bid price per proposal as previously distributed with this agenda. Ayes – All PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor to Sign Amendment with Biometrics4All (20-359) Commissioner Dalton advised this is for fingerprinting. Commissioner Dalton moved and Commissioner Madigan seconded to authorize the mayor to sign amendment with Biometrics4All, Inc. Ayes – All Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor to Sign Authorized User Agreements with Verizon Wireless for the Fire Department and DPS Office (20-360) Commissioner Dalton moved and Commissioner Madigan seconded to authorize the mayor to sign user agreements with Verizon Wireless for the Fire Department and DPS Office. Ayes – All Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor to Sign Contract with Marbelite Co., Inc. for Traffic Signal Improvements (20-361) Commissioner Dalton moved and Commissioner Madigan seconded to authorize the mayor to sign contract with Marbelite Co., Inc. Page 10 of 12 City Council Meeting 10/6/2020 Ayes – All Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor to Sign Contract with Northeast Signal (20-362) Commissioner Dalton moved and Commissioner Madigan seconded to authorize the mayor to sign contract with Northeast Signal, Inc. Ayes – All Discussion and Vote: Resolution – NYRA (20-363) Commissioner Dalton moved and Commissioner Madigan seconded: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS, NEW YORK WHEREAS, it is impossible to overstate the importance of thoroughbred racing to the City of Saratoga Springs. For more than 150 years, horseracing has been part of our city’s character, identity, economy and culture. We would not be the same without it; and WHEREAS, this year the COVID-19 pandemic brought the same unprecedented challenges to our city that it brought everywhere else. The impact upon our institutions, businesses and public services was immediate and intense. At first, there was a very real possibility that the 2020 summer meet at Saratoga Race Course would be cancelled for the first time since World War II. The officials and employees of the New York Racing Association worked tirelessly for months to ensure that the 2020 meet would take place. Their efforts allowed the racing industry to continue with race schedules, retain many employees and professionals, provide business to supporting industries, and keep the interest of the fans during this incredibly difficult year, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that this City Council, on behalf of the people of Saratoga Springs, hereby expresses our thanks and appreciation for NYRA’s efforts on behalf of thoroughbred racing in our city. We join them, and the millions of racing fans across the United States, in looking forward to a full re-opening of the Saratoga Race Course to the public, and a great meet in 2021. Ayes – All SUPERVISORS Matt Veitch 2021 Saratoga County Capital Program Supervisor Veitch reported they reduced their capital program from $21 million for 2020 to $16 million for 2021. They do not bond their capital projects so will be able to adjust as necessary. Tara Gaston COVID-19 Update Supervisor Gaston reported 74 active cases across the county and positive testing is going down. They hope quick test machine will be ready end of month. NY Alert App Supervisor Gaston reported this app alerts you if you have had an exposure to someone who is also using this app tested positive for COVID. County Flex Work Policy Page 11 of 12 City Council Meeting 10/6/2020 Supervisor Gaston pulled. Woodlawn Lease Supervisor Gaston reported this started October 1st. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Mayor Kelly adjourned the meeting at 8:11 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Lisa Ribis Clerk Approved: 10 20 2020 Vote: 5 - 0 Page 12 of 12